Question

Describe the possible values of a such that √72 + √a simplifies to a single term.

I have seen several explanations on Jiskha & Slader, but I still don't understand all the steps all the way.

Answer 1

well, clearly, if a=72
√72 + √72 = 2√72
or, since √72 = 6√2, if a=2,
6√2 + √2 = 7√2

There are, of course, many more such values.