How do you simplify ( sqrt32)/ (5 sqrt 14)?

2 Answers
Feb 26, 2016

(4sqrt(7))/35

Explanation:

You have to try and spot common values that can be cancelled out.

Both 32 and 14 are even so 2 has to be a common factor giving:

" "(sqrt(2xx16))/(5sqrt(2xx7))

7 is a prime number so the denominator can not be broken down any further

However, 16 in the numerator can be broken down into 4^2 so we now have:

" "(sqrt(2xx4^2))/(5sqrt(2xx7))

" "1/5xxsqrt(2)/(sqrt(2)) xxsqrt(4^2)/sqrt(7)

" " 1/5xx 1 xx 4/sqrt(7)" "=" "4/(5sqrt(7))

'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Added extension to solution
I forgot that standard practice is that you try to remove any roots from the denominator!

Multiply by 1 but in the form of sqrt(7)/sqrt(7) giving:

" "4/(5sqrt(7))xx sqrt(7)/sqrt(7)" "=" "(4sqrt(7))/(5xx7)" "=" "(4sqrt(7))/35

Feb 26, 2016

sqrt 32/(5sqrt 14)=(4sqrt7)/35

Explanation:

sqrt 32/(5sqrt 14)

Simplify sqrt 32.

sqrt(2xx2xx2xx2xx2)=

sqrt(2^2xx2^2xx2)=

4sqrt2

Add this back into the expression.

(4sqrt 2)/(5sqrt14)

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by sqrt 14.

(4sqrt 2)/(5sqrt14)xx(sqrt14)/sqrt 14=

(4sqrt 2sqrt14)/(5xx14)

Simplify the numerator by multiplying the square roots.

(4sqrt 28)/(5xx14)

Simplify the square root by factoring.

(4sqrt 28)/(5xx14)=(4sqrt(2xx2xx7))/(5xx14)=(4xx2sqrt7)/(5xx14)=(8sqrt7)/(5xx14)

Simplify the denominator.

(8sqrt 7)/(70)

Simplify the expression.

(4sqrt7)/35