SOLUTION: why is it important to simplify radical expressions before adding or subtracting? Use the example __ _ __ √72 - √8 + √18 to s

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Question 665104: why is it important to simplify radical expressions before adding or subtracting? Use the example
__ _ __
√72 - √8 + √18 to show the benefits of simplified radicals.
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, MathLover1:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 

Hi,

why is it important to simplify radical expressions before adding or subtracting?

To determine if there are Like Terms

Answer by MathLover1(20849) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

It is important to simplify radical expressions before adding or subtracting to get terms with like radicals. Once we find terms with like radicals we can then add or subtract the expressions. Simplifying the expression and obtaining terms with like radicals makes the problem less complex when solving.
sqrt%2872%29-sqrt%288%29%2Bsqrt%2818%29

=sqrt%288%2A9%29-sqrt%288%29%2Bsqrt%282%2A9%29

=3sqrt%284%2A2%29-sqrt%284%2A2%29%2B3sqrt%282%29

=2sqrt%284%2A2%29%2B3sqrt%282%29

=2%2A2sqrt%282%29%2B3sqrt%282%29

=4sqrt%282%29%2B3sqrt%282%29

=7sqrt%282%29

or as decimal

=9.9