SOLUTION: Would you please help me with this problem The questions is to simplify and combine like radicals. All variables represent positive numbers. sqrt2 - sqrt8 My results sq

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Question 108172: Would you please help me with this problem
The questions is to simplify and combine like radicals. All variables represent positive numbers.
sqrt2 - sqrt8
My results
sqrt2 = 1*2
sqrt8 = 2*2*2
answer -sqrt4 ( I was told that this is the wrong answer)
Please help!!!
Answer by Fombitz(13823) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let's start from your results
sqrt2 = 1*2
sqrt8 = 2*2*2
Your right hand side should still include the square root.
sqrt2 = sqrt(1*2)
sqrt8 = sqrt(2*2*2)
Then
sqrt2 = sqrt(2)
sqrt8 = sqrt(2*2)*sqrt(2)
and you can substitute since
sqrt(2*2) = 2
Your equations then become
sqrt2 = sqrt(2)
sqrt8 = 2*sqrt(2)
Now your subtraction can take place.
sqrt2 - sqrt8 = sqrt2 - 2*sqrt(2)
sqrt2 - sqrt8 = -sqrt(2)