Hour of Math · SS3 · Unit SSNP12

Equality of Surds

Use the principle that if $p + m\sqrt{k} = q + n\sqrt{k}$ (with $\sqrt{k}$ irrational) then $p = q$ and $m = n$, to solve for unknown coefficients and to find the square root of an expression of the form $a + b\sqrt{c}$ by setting it equal to $\sqrt{m} + \sqrt{n}$, squaring, and equating the rational and surd parts.

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