Question 34318
<pre><b><font size = 4>How do I begin to work problems like these?
   _    _   _  
(4<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p + <font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7)(<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p - 9)

I'm confused as to what to do with the number on the outside
of the radical that is not the index number.

Multiply them, usually.

   _    _   _  
(4<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p + <font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7)(<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p - 9)

Use FOIL:
      _  _
F = 4<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p·<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p = 4p
      _            _  
O = 4<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p·(-9) = -36<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p
     _  _    __
I = <font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7·<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p = <font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7p
     _       _
L = <font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7·9 = 9<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7
                 _    __     _
Answer:  4p - 36<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>p + <font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7p - 9<font face = "symbol">Ö</font>7

Edwin
AnlytcPhil@aol.com</pre>