How do you simplify #2sqrt3-sqrt27#?

1 Answer
Mar 30, 2018

#-sqrt3#

Explanation:

We can see if the numbers in the square roots can be simplified with factoring.
#2sqrt(3) - sqrt(27) #

We know that 3 is prime, so it cannot be simplified. 27 can be factored
#27 = 3^3 = 3^2 cdot 3 #

which means
#2sqrt(3) - sqrt(3^2 * 3) = 2sqrt3 - sqrt(3^2) sqrt(3) = 2sqrt3 - 3sqrt3 = -sqrt3 #