Question #61863

1 Answer
Jan 15, 2017

#-31sqrt2#.

Explanation:

Although not immediately apparent, this expression can be simplified.

Using the property that #sqrt(ab) = sqrtasqrtb#, we can rewrite as:

#3sqrt18 - 8sqrt50 = 3sqrt(9 * 2) - 8sqrt(25 * 2) = 3sqrt9sqrt2 - 8sqrt25sqrt2#.

Since #sqrt9=3# and #sqrt25=5#, this is:

#9sqrt2 - 40sqrt2 = -31sqrt2#.