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Which of the following is equal to 1/(√3−√2)^2? [#permalink]
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MathRevolution wrote:
Which of the following is equal to \(1/(√3−√2)^2\)?

A) 1

B) 5

C) √6

D) 5 - √6

E) 5 + 2√6

I. Simplify and rationalize
Simplify:
\(\frac{1}{(√3−√2)^2}\)
\(\frac{1}{(√3−√2)(√3−√2)}\)
\(\frac{1}{3-2√6+2}=\frac{1}{5-2√6}\)

Rationalize with conjugate: \(5+2√6\)
\((\frac{1}{5-2√6}*\frac{5+2√6}{5+2√6})=\frac{5+2√6}{25-(4*6)}\)

\(\frac{5+2√6}{25-24}=\frac{5+2√6}{1}=5+2√6\)

Answer E

Rationalize all at once
The denominator has two "copies" of \((a-b)\), one of the factored terms of a difference of perfect square \((a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2\).

If we multiply by two copies of \((a+b)\) -- the conjugate of the denominator, squared -- we will create two differences of perfect squares that in this instance are integers.

\(\frac{1}{(√3−√2)^2}=\frac{1}{(√3−√2)(√3−√2)}\)

\(\frac{1}{(√3−√2)(√3−√2)}*\frac{(√3+√2)^2}{(√3+√2)^2}\)

\(\frac{1}{(√3−√2)(√3−√2)}*\frac{(√3+√2)(√3+√2)}{(√3+√2)(√3+√2)}\)

\(\frac{(√3+√2)(√3+√2)}{(√3−√2)(√3+√2)(√3−√2)(√3+√2)}\)

\(\frac{3+2√6+2}{(3-2)(3-2)}=\frac{5+2√6}{(1*1)}=5+2√6\)

Answer E
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Re: Which of the following is equal to 1/[(3^(1/2)-2^(1/2))^1/2] [#permalink]
Bunuel wrote:
Which of the following is equal to \(\frac{1}{(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})^2}\).

A. 1

B. 5

C. \(\sqrt{6}\)

D. \(5 - \sqrt{6}\)

E. \(5 + 2\sqrt{6}\)

Two things to know to deal with this problem (helps to rationalize):

1. \((a-b)^2=a^2-2ab+b^2\) and 2. \((a-b)(a+b)=a^2-b^2\).



\(\frac{1}{(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})^2}=\frac{1}{3-2\sqrt{6}+2}=\frac{1}{5-2\sqrt{6}}\).

Now multiply both nominator and denominator by \(5+2\sqrt{6}\):

\(\frac{5+2\sqrt{6}}{(5-2\sqrt{6})(5+2\sqrt{6})}=\frac{5+2\sqrt{6}}{25-24}=5+2\sqrt{6}\).

Answer: E.

Hope it's clear.



Can you please let me know why did we multiply both nominator and denominator by \(5+2\sqrt{6}\)?

Thanks!
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Re: Which of the following is equal to 1/[(3^(1/2)-2^(1/2))^1/2] [#permalink]
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Re: Which of the following is equal to 1/[(3^(1/2)-2^(1/2))^1/2] [#permalink]
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