How do you simplify #4sqrt5-2sqrt5#?

2 Answers
Dec 24, 2016

#2sqrt(5)#

Explanation:

#4sqrt(5)-2sqrt(5)#

these are like terms- they are both multiples of the radical #sqrt(5)#.

collecting like terms gives you #(4-2) * sqrt(5)#

#= 2 * sqrt(5)#

#=2sqrt(5)#

Dec 24, 2016

#4 sqrt5 - 2 sqrt5 = 2 sqrt5#

Explanation:

The question is much easier than it looks at first glance.

Compare this with a question like:
4 bags - 2 bags = 2 bags

In algebra we can work with like terms:

#4x - 2x= 2x#

#4 square - 2 square = 2 square#

In this case you can consider #sqrt5# in each term as being like terms.

#4 sqrt5 - 2 sqrt5 = 2 sqrt5#

#sqrt5# is an irrational number and cannot be written exactly, so it is better to use it like this.