How do you simplify 6(square root of 2) + 10(square root of 8)?

1 Answer
Sep 17, 2015

#6sqrt(2) + 10sqrt(8) = 26sqrt(2)#

Explanation:

Square roots are be simplified by taking out any perfect squares, leaving just the smallest possible whole number under the square root. #sqrt(2)# can not be simplified further, but #sqrt(8)# can.

We simplify the second term of the expression to:
#10sqrt(8) = 10sqrt(4*2) = 10sqrt(4)sqrt(2) = 10*2sqrt(2) = 20 sqrt(2)#

Add it to the first term, and we get the solution:
#6 sqrt(2)+20 sqrt(2) = 26 sqrt(2)#