SOLUTION: Please help me to solve: Why is the solution to the 6th root of 15 + the 4th root of 8 not equal to the 10th root of 23

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Question 476488: Please help me to solve:
Why is the solution to
the 6th root of 15 + the 4th root of 8 not equal to the 10th root of 23

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It's not the solution because root%286%2C15%29 and root%284%2C8%29 are not like terms, so you can't combine them. They are only like terms if the indices (the small numbers up top) and the radicands are equal. However, the first index (6) is NOT equal to the second index (4), so the two radical expressions are NOT like terms. In addition, the radicands are not equal as well.