You start with what you have, and do whatever you can do -- which isn't much! In fact, the "simplified" form won't look very simple, so the hard part really is just to decide that there's nothing more to do!I am not sure where to start on the following problem:
Simplify the following: [MATH]\frac{1+t+t^2}{\sqrt{t}}[/MATH]
Thank you! I wasn’t quite sure if I could take it further than this, so that had me a little confused.\(\displaystyle \frac{1+t+t^2}{\sqrt t}=\frac{(1+t+t^2)\sqrt t}{t}=~?\)
Did you try to factor t^2 + t + 1??Thank you! I wasn’t quite sure if I could take it further than this, so that had me a little confused.
I didn’t know I could..?Did you try to factor t^2 + t + 1??
Frankly I have no idea what answer is expected!I didn’t know I could..?
I think that's good enough (rationalizing the denominator). The image shows part of a review.\(\displaystyle \frac{1+t+t^2}{\sqrt t}=\frac{(1+t+t^2)\sqrt t}{t}\)
My teacher has never really explained what is considered “simple enough”. I don’t know when I have done enough and can move onThis is a good example where context is needed. Within a given class at this level, there will often be a standard for what is considered "simple" (for a particular kind of expression); that makes it easy for both teacher and students to know what is expected.
In real life, you put it in whatever form is most useful for what comes next. In this case, unfortunately, what comes next is turning it in to the teacher for judgment, and the teacher gets to decide based on class rules, written or unwritten.
So, @Sely, what have you been taught about what is "simple enough"?
You can't. I am just making sure that you tried just in case it could be factored.I didn’t know I could..?
Hi Sely. That review sheet seems to cover some basics from intermediate algebra, trigonometry and precalculus. If you just started a calculus course, for example, then the purpose of giving students such review exercises could be a desire of the instructor to get a feel for how many students are ready.My teacher has never really explained what is considered “simple enough”. I don’t know when I have done enough and can move on