Perform the indicated operations. Assume all variables represent positive real numbers. 4√3(√7 - 2√11)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the expression to simplify: \$4\sqrt{3}(\sqrt{7} - 2\sqrt{11})$.
Apply the distributive property (also known as the distributive law of multiplication over subtraction) to multiply \$4\sqrt{3}\( by each term inside the parentheses separately: \)4\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{7}\( and \)4\sqrt{3} \times (-2\sqrt{11})$.
Multiply the coefficients (numbers outside the radicals) together: for the first term, multiply 4 by 1 (since \(\sqrt{7}\) has an implied coefficient of 1), and for the second term, multiply 4 by -2.
Multiply the radicals by using the property \(\sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{a \times b}\): for the first term, calculate \(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{7} = \sqrt{21}\), and for the second term, calculate \(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{11} = \sqrt{33}\).
Combine the results from the previous steps to write the expression as \$4\sqrt{21} - 8\sqrt{33}$.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
1m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Simplifying Radicals
Simplifying radicals involves expressing square roots in their simplest form by factoring out perfect squares. For example, √12 can be simplified to 2√3 because 12 = 4 × 3 and √4 = 2. This process helps in making multiplication and addition of radicals easier.
Adding & Subtracting Unlike Radicals by Simplifying
Distributive Property
The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parenthesis separately. In this problem, 4√3 is multiplied by both √7 and -2√11 individually before combining the results.
Multiply Polynomials Using the Distributive Property
Multiplying Radicals
When multiplying radicals with the same index, multiply the numbers inside the radicals together under a single radical. For example, √a × √b = √(ab). This rule is used to multiply 4√3 by √7 and by 2√11 by combining the radicands before simplifying.