Rationalizing the denominator: 1-sq rt of 2 / -1

[danj]

I was wondering if I can ask one more question.

I am working trying to rationalizing the denominator and having trouble understanding the last part of the solution.

The textbook says

1-sq rt of 2 / -1
the answer is sq root of 2 - 1

I get of 1/-1 = -1 but I do not understand how the - in front of the sq rt of 2 is removed?

woukd you mind helping?

 

[stapel]

...rationalizing the denominator... The textbook says:

1-sq rt of 2 / -1
the answer is sq root of 2 - 1

What you've posted as the expression means this:

. . . . .\(\displaystyle 1\, -\, \dfrac{\sqrt{2\,}}{-1}\)

From what you state later, though, I think you meant "(1 - sq rt of 2) / -1", which is:

. . . . .\(\displaystyle \dfrac{1\, -\, \sqrt{2\,}}{-1}\, =\, \dfrac{1}{-1}\, +\, \dfrac{-\sqrt{2\,}}{-1}\)

If I'm correct, then what did you get when you divided the negative square root by the negative one?