#### Brooklyn

##### New member
(1/2 times the square root of 6) minus the square root of 3/2

I have got the first part done ( in the paraenthesis) but I don't get the square root of a fraction! What are the steps(if you could show me on an example with out adding the actual(SP?) problem it would be greatly appreaciated.

#### tkhunny

##### Moderator
Staff member
This?

$$\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\cdot\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}$$

Please demonstrate what it is you mean when you say you have completed the one part.

J

#### JeffM

##### Guest
This may be a double post. If so, I apologize.

Like tkhunny, I am unsure of what your question is.

However, there is nothing mysterious anout the square root of a fraction. Provided a is a non-negative real number, its square root is defined as the non-negative number b such b * b = a. The definition does not care about fractions or whole numbers.

So the square root of (4/9) is (2/3) because (2/3) * (2/3) = (4/9).
It may help to realize that the square root of (c / d) = (the square root of c) / (the square root of d).

#### Brooklyn

##### New member
tkhunny said:
$$\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\cdot\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}$$
The 1/2 of the square root of 6 I have figured out. The transforming of the second fraction confuses me.

#### tkhunny

##### Moderator
Staff member
Transform to what? Are you suffering from enforced denomicalitis? This is an itching that crops up whenever a radical is in the denominator. It's a terrible thing.

Hint: $$\displaystyle \sqrt{\frac{3}{2}} = \sqrt{\frac{3\cdot 2}{2\cdot 2}}$$

#### Brooklyn

##### New member
Maybe, I don't know. I just know I'm suppose to change the fraction before it can be square rooted or something.

#### tkhunny

##### Moderator
Staff member
"to square root" is not a verb.

Find the square root.
Calculate the square root.
Determine the square root.

Various ways to say it.

You must utilize this principle, a/a = 1 for a <> 0 until you get those radical s out fo the denominator. Personally, I do not recommend such practices, but if you have to pass a test with it, then learn it.