SOLUTION: 2/(3+sqrt5) please help i forgot how to deal with the denominator

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: 2/(3+sqrt5) please help i forgot how to deal with the denominator      Log On


   

Question 94371: 2/(3+sqrt5)
please help i forgot how to deal with the denominator
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Simplify? We don't like to see radicals in the denominator, so...
2%2F%28%283%2Bsqrt%285%29%29%29 Multiply the numerator and the denominator by conjugate of the denominator which is (3-sqrt%285%29).
2%283-sqrt%285%29%29%2F%283%2Bsqrt%285%29%29%283-sqrt%285%29%29 Simplify the denominator.
2%283-sqrt%285%29%29%2F%289-%28sqrt%285%29%29%28sqrt%285%29%29%29 Simplify some more.
2%283-sqrt%285%29%29%2F%289-5%29
2%283-sqrt%285%29%29%2F4 Cancel a 2 in the top & bottom.
%283-sqrt%285%29%29%2F2