Simplifying radicals

Question

In Algebra 1 I am given the following problem:

Simplify √60.

Please help me.

Answer 1

This problem uses the facts:

     √a² = √(a*a) = a

   and

     √(a²b) = a√b

 

You may either factor the value under the radical to find squares or you may factor it into primes and find pairs.

 

1) squares

    √60 = √(4*15) = 2√15               [because √4 = 2]

 

2) √60 = √(2*2*3*5) = √((2*2)*3*5) = 2√(3*5) = 2√15           [note pairs of 2]

Answer 2

√60 = √(4*15) =√4*√15=2*√15=2√15