SOLUTION: I have a follow up question to my problem: 9/2-sqt(7) Are you suppose to multipy 9(2+ sqrt(7)? If so should it be 18+9 sqrt(7)? If I am just leaving the 9 alone why?

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: I have a follow up question to my problem: 9/2-sqt(7) Are you suppose to multipy 9(2+ sqrt(7)? If so should it be 18+9 sqrt(7)? If I am just leaving the 9 alone why?      Log On


   

Question 879940: I have a follow up question to my problem: 9/2-sqt(7)
Are you suppose to multipy 9(2+ sqrt(7)? If so should it be 18+9 sqrt(7)?
If I am just leaving the 9 alone why?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The 9 and the 2 are connected with division. Exponentiation gets top precedence; and next is multiplications and divisions. Your example has 7%5E%281%2F2%29 which could be performed first, but you might want to leave this in radical form of sqrt%287%29.

Do the 9%2F2 next.

Next you would subtract the sqrt%287%29.

The step you are showing is completely different and has no justification. The 9%2F2 would be done FIRST; and then you could subtract sqrt%287%29. The 9 is NOT connected to sqrt%287%29.