Question

How do you simplify `sqrt50-sqrt98`?

Answer 1

`-2sqrt2`

Explanation:

Break up each number under the root into its prime factors:

`sqrt50 - sqrt98 = sqrt(5xx5xx2) - sqrt(7xx7xx2`

=`sqrt(5^2xx 2) - sqrt(7^2xx2`

Simplify where possible:

`5sqrt2 - 7sqrt2" "larr` these are like terms.

=`-2sqrt2`