SOLUTION: what if the radical expression is not a rational expression, for example what if I had √12 + √108? How would I begin on simplifying it? Afterall, there is no denomin

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Question 200934: what if the radical expression is not a rational expression, for example what if I had √12 + √108? How would I begin on simplifying it? Afterall, there is no denominator other than 1.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(28598) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

sqrt%2812%29%2Bsqrt%28108%29 Start with the given expression


2%2Asqrt%283%29%2Bsqrt%28108%29 Simplify sqrt%2812%29 to get 2%2Asqrt%283%29. Note: If you need help with simplifying square roots, check out this solver.


2%2Asqrt%283%29%2B6%2Asqrt%283%29 Simplify sqrt%28108%29 to get 6%2Asqrt%283%29.


Since we have the common term sqrt%283%29, we can combine like terms


%282%2B6%29sqrt%283%29 Factor out the GCF sqrt%283%29


8%2Asqrt%283%29 Combine like terms.


So sqrt%2812%29%2Bsqrt%28108%29 simplifies to 8%2Asqrt%283%29.


In other words, sqrt%2812%29%2Bsqrt%28108%29=8%2Asqrt%283%29


You can verify this with a calculator.