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Multiple Choice
Rationalize the denominator and simplify the radical expression.
A
7−43
B
7+431
C
7+43
D
7−431
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the given expression: \(\frac{2-\sqrt{3}}{2+\sqrt{3}}\). The goal is to rationalize the denominator, which means eliminating the square root from the denominator.
Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. The conjugate of \$2+\sqrt{3}\( is \)2-\sqrt{3}\(. So multiply by \)\frac{2-\sqrt{3}}{2-\sqrt{3}}$:
Apply the difference of squares formula to the denominator: \((a+b)(a-b) = a^2 - b^2\). Here, \(a=2\) and \(b=\sqrt{3}\), so the denominator becomes \$2^2 - (\sqrt{3})^2$.
Expand the numerator by distributing \((2-\sqrt{3})(2-\sqrt{3})\) using FOIL (First, Outer, Inner, Last) method, then simplify both numerator and denominator by combining like terms.