# Math Help - Surd

1. ## Surd

How do I simplify $\sqrt{9 + 4\sqrt{2}}$ to $1+2\sqrt{2}$?

Thanks

2. Hello, slevvio!

$\text{How do I simplify }\,\sqrt{9 + 4\sqrt{2}}\,\text{ to }\,1+2\sqrt{2}\;?$
I don't think there is an easy way . . .

First, we must suspect that $9 + 4\sqrt{2}$ is a square.

Then we let: . $\sqrt{9 + 4\sqrt{2}} \;=\;a + b\sqrt{2}$
. . where both $a\text{ and }b$ are rational numbers.

Square both sides: . $9 + 4\sqrt{2} \;=\;\left(a + b\sqrt{2}\right)^2$

. . and we have:. . $9 + 4\sqrt{2} \;=\a^2 + 2b^2) + 2ab\sqrt{2}" alt="9 + 4\sqrt{2} \;=\a^2 + 2b^2) + 2ab\sqrt{2}" />

These two numbers are equal if their corresponding coefficients are equal.

So we have: . $\begin{Bmatrix}a^2+2b^2 & = & 9 \\ 2ab &=&4\end{Bmatrix}$

The second equation gives us: . $b \:=\:\frac{2}{a}$

Substitute into the first equation: . $a^2 + 2\left(\frac{2}{a}\right)^2 \:=\:9 \quad\Rightarrow\quad a^2 + \frac{8}{a^2} \:=\:9$

Multiply by $a^2\!:\;\;a^4 + 8 \:=\:9a^2\quad\Rightarrow\quad a^4 - 9a^2 + 8 \:=\:0$

. . which factors: . $(a^2-1)(a^2-8) \:=\:0$

. . and has roots: . $a \;=\;\pm1,\:\pm2\sqrt{2}$

Since $a$ must be rational and the original square root is positive,
. . the only acceptable root is: . $a\,=\,1\quad\Rightarrow\quad b \,=\,2$

Therefore: . $\sqrt{9 + 4\sqrt{2}} \;=\;1 + 2\sqrt{2}$

3. Originally Posted by Soroban
I don't think there is an easy way . . .
Of course there is one more dear Soroban

Originally Posted by slevvio
How do I simplify $\sqrt{9 + 4\sqrt{2}}$ to $1+2\sqrt{2}$?
$\sqrt {9 + 4\sqrt 2 } = \sqrt {\left( {1 + 4\sqrt 2 + 8} \right)} = \sqrt {\left( {1 + 2\sqrt 2 } \right)^2 } = \left| {1 + 2\sqrt 2 } \right|.$

Since the quantity inside bars is positive, we have that $\sqrt {9 + 4\sqrt 2 } = 1 + 2\sqrt 2 .$

4. Hello, Krizalid!

Of course, you are right . . . That is a valid method.

I use that method when I'm quite certain that we have a square.

I've done it enough times that I suspect that $8 + 2\sqrt{15}$ is a square
. . because: . $8 \:= \:3 + 5\;\hdots\;15 \:=\:3\cdot5\;\hdots\;\text{ and that coefficient is 2.}$

And, sure enough: . $8 + 2\sqrt{15} \;=\;(\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{5})^2$