How do you rationalize the denominator and simplify 1/(1-8sqrt2)?

2 Answers
Mar 25, 2018

I believe this should be simplified as (-(8sqrt2+1))/127.

Explanation:

To rationalize the denominator, you must multiply the term that has the sqrt by itself, to move it to the numerator. So:

=>1/(1-8*sqrt2)*8sqrt2

This will give:

=>(8sqrt2+1)/(1-(8sqrt2)^2

(8sqrt2)^2=64*2=128

=>(8sqrt2+1)/(1-128)

=>(8sqrt2+1)/-127

The negative cam also be moved to the top, for:

=>(-(8sqrt2+1))/127

Mar 25, 2018

(-1-8sqrt2)/127

Explanation:

Multiply the numerator and the denominator by the surd (to undo the surd) and the negative of the extra value.

1/(1-8sqrt2 x (-1+8sqrt2)/(-1+8sqrt2

(1(1+8sqrt2))/((1-8sqrt2)(1+8sqrt2)

Expand brackets. Use the FOIL rule for the denominator.

(1+8sqrt2)/-127

You could simplify further by taking the negative of the denominator and apply it to the numerator.

(-1-8sqrt2)/127