Question

How do you simplify: square root of 1/3?

Answer 1

Usually the final answer is written as `sqrt{3}/3`

Explanation:

To get the final answer, you need to "rationalize the denominator" by multiplying by `1=sqrt{3}/sqrt{3}` as follows:

`sqrt{1/3}=sqrt{1}/sqrt{3}=1/sqrt{3}=1/sqrt{3} * sqrt{3}/sqrt{3}=sqrt{3}/3`

It is not "mathematically illegal" to write this number as `1/sqrt{3}` (it's not like dividing by zero or something), but the standard convention is to avoid roots in denominators, if possible. This is done for two main reasons:

1) It helps teachers check your answers more easily.

2) Rationalizing the denominator (or numerator, for that matter) is a useful skill that can help you solve problems in higher math. For instance, in calculus, it's a trick that can often help you solve some problems about "limits".