How do you rationalize the denominator and simplify 1/sqrty?

1 Answer
Tony B
May 31, 2016

1/sqrt(y)-=sqrt(y)/y

The -= means 'equivalent to'.

Explanation:

Mathematicians do not like a root to be in the denominator if at all possible. Consequently you should always look to remove it if able. Unless instructed otherwise.

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Multiply by 1 and you do not change the value. However the value of 1 comes in many forms so you may change the way something looks without changing its intrinsic value.

Given:" "1/sqrt(y)

Multiply by 1 but in the form of 1=sqrt(y)/sqrt(y) giving:

" "1/sqrt(y)xxsqrt(y)/sqrt(y) = sqrt(y)/y

Hence the rationalised denominator condition is:" "sqrt(y)/y

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