SOLUTION: if only radicls can be added or subtracted then why 5 square root of 3 + 2 square root of 12 can be simplified

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Question 700479: if only radicls can be added or subtracted then why 5 square root of 3 + 2 square root of 12 can be simplified

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
if only LIKE radicals can be added or subtracted; then why 5 square root of 3 + 2 square root of 12 can be simplified
:
5sqrt%283%29+%2B+2sqrt%2812%29
Factor inside the second radical to reveal a perfect square (4)
5sqrt%283%29+%2B+2sqrt%284%2A3%29
Extract the square root of that perfect square (2)
5sqrt%283%29+%2B+2%2A2sqrt%283%29
5sqrt%283%29+%2B+4sqrt%283%29
Now we have like radicals that can be added, resulting in:
9sqrt%283%29