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Simplify (7+sqrt(5))/(sqrt(5)-1), leaving the answer in the form a+b*sqrt(5)

Step 1 - Identify the difference between the required form of the answer and the expression to be simplified: 

It can be...

IR
Answered by Ian R. Maths tutor
20911 Views

C1 - Simplifying a fraction that has a root on the denominator

(7+√5)/(√5-1) 

In this example we are given (√5-1) as our denominator, and we want to simplify this complex fraction into the form a + b√5. 

In order to do this our first st...

CM
Answered by Claudia M. Maths tutor
5514 Views

How do I expand out a pair of brackets?

Expanding something out like (x+2)(x+3) crops up everywhere in maths. Therefore it's a very important skill to develop.There are many different ways of looking at it - smily faces, rainbows, claws - to na...

CW
Answered by Cordelia W. Maths tutor
6334 Views

How do I simplify surds?

Easy! We first consider which number is in the square root. Then we look at it's factors:- if any of factors are square we can immediately take their root out of the overall square root. Once all the squa...

CW
Answered by Cordelia W. Maths tutor
7545 Views

How do I differentiate?

Differentiation is a relatively easy process once you learn the basic method. The basic rule is, you multiply the coefficient of x by the exponent, which becomes the new coefficient, and then reduce th...

AB
Answered by Alexis B. Maths tutor
7306 Views

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