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

1 Answer
Mar 2, 2017

Treat this as the subtraction of like terms:

9 sqrt2 - 1 sqrt2 = 8sqrt2

Explanation:

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