How do you simplify #9[sqrt2] - [sqrt2]#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-03-02T14:54:52

Treat this as the subtraction of like terms:

#9 sqrt2 - 1 sqrt2 = 8sqrt2#

The answer can be seen immediately if you recognise that this is simply subtracting like terms.

#9x - x# actually means: #9x - 1x# which gives #8x#

#9# of anything - #1# of the same leaves #8#

#9 " dogs" - 1 " dog" = 8 " dogs"#

In this case we have different amounts of #sqrt2#

#9 sqrt2 - 1 sqrt2 = 8sqrt2#