Simplifying Radical Expressions

jramirez23

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Joined
Jan 23, 2008
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29
I don't know where to start when I am asked to simplify this expression:

?2 /?3 minus ?3 /?2

I would like to at least get help starting this problem.
 
?2 /?3 minus ?3 /?2
\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{2}}\)

I would rationalize the denominators first.
\(\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}\cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{\sqrt{6}}{3}\)

You do the other one.

Then follow the rules for adding fractions.
\(\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}-\frac{c}{d}=\frac{ad}{bd}-\frac{cb}{bd}=\frac{ad-cb}{bd}\)

Then if you can simplify any radicals, do so.
 
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