document.write( "Question 227639: 8sqrt12-5sqrt3 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #169179 by jsmallt9(3758) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
$\"8sqrt%2812%29-5sqrt%283%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "As with any addition or subtraction, you can only add or subtract \"like\" things. These square roots, as they stand, are not like square roots and we cannot subtract them.

\n" ); document.write( "But we can and should simplify the first square root:
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\n" ); document.write( "So our expression, with the simplified square root, is:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"16sqrt%283%29-5sqrt%283%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "And notice how we now have like square roots! So we can now subtract them:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"16sqrt%283%29-5sqrt%283%29+=+11sqrt%283%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

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