Question

How do you simplify `\sqrt{20}` without using a calculator?

Answer 1

`2sqrt5`

Here's how I did it:

Explanation:

`quadquadsqrt20`

First, find a factor of `20` that can be square rooted into a whole number. That number is `4`:
`quadquadsqrt(4 * 5)`

`quadquadsqrt4 * sqrt5`

We know that the `sqrt4 = 2`:
`quadquad2 * sqrt5`

Combine it:
`quadquad2sqrt5`

If you actually needed to find the decimal value of this problem, you will need to use the calculator. If you plug it into the calculator, you will get `~~4.472` (rounded to the thousandth's place).

Hope this helps!