# Rationalize the denominator

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• April 19th 2008, 05:14 PM
typaradise
Rationalize the denominator
Can anyone help me figure this problem out step by step? All help would be appreciated.

3/6-√2

√=radical
• April 19th 2008, 05:21 PM
TheEmptySet
Quote:

Originally Posted by typaradise
Can anyone help me figure this problem out step by step? All help would be appreciated.

3/6-√2

√=radical

use the conjugate

so we have $6-\sqrt{2}$ its conjugate is $6+\sqrt{2}$

mult the numerator and denominator by the conjugate to get

$\frac{3}{6-\sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{6+\sqrt{2}}{6+\sqrt{2}}=\frac{18+3\sqrt{2}}{ 6-2}=\frac{9}{2}+\frac{3}{4}\sqrt{2}$
• April 19th 2008, 05:58 PM
typaradise
Rationalize the denominator
OMG Thanks.

But can you explain after you multiply by conjugate how did you get the negative for the radical.
• April 19th 2008, 06:03 PM
TheEmptySet
Quote:

Originally Posted by typaradise
OMG Thanks.

But can you explain after you multiply by conjugate how did you get the negative for the radical.

It shouldn't have been negative. I fixed my post above.

Good luck.