How do you simplify #sqrt5 - 3sqrt5#?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
Jun 2, 2016

#-2sqrt5#

Explanation:

Notice there are two terms, each has #sqrt5# which can be divided out as a common factor.

#sqrt5 - 3sqrt5 = sqrt5(1 - 3)#

This gives #sqrt 5xx -2# which can be written as #-2sqrt5#

Or just by regarding the two terms as like terms we have

#1sqrt5 - 3sqrt5 = -2sqrt5#

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