SOLUTION: How do I solve this problem? 1/(3+the square root of 5)? I really need help so if you could tell me the steps that would be great. Thank you :)

SOLUTION: How do I solve this problem? 1/(3+the square root of 5)? I really need help so if you could tell me the steps that would be great. Thank you :)

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Question 271488: How do I solve this problem? 1/(3+the square root of 5)? I really need help so if you could tell me the steps that would be great. Thank you :)
Answer by edjones(8007) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1/(3+sqrt(5)) We need an integer in the denominator so that it's a rational number. We also know (a-b)(a+b)=a^2-b^2
=1/(3+sqrt(5)) * (3-sqrt(5))/(3-sqrt(5))
=(3-sqrt(5))/(9-5)
=(3-sqrt(5))/4
.
Ed
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