How do you evaluate #2sqrt3-4sqrt2#?

1 Answer
Mar 24, 2018

There is no way to evaulate this without a calculator because #2sqrt(3)# and #4sqrt(2)# are already in their simplest form and do not have a radical in common. Using a calculator, #2sqrt(3) - 4sqrt(2) ~~ -2.19#

Explanation:

To add or subtract radicals, the radicals must be simplified and can only be added when they have a common radical. Just like you can only combine like terms in algebra, you can only combine like radicals. Read this for more information.