To simplify the expression \( \sqrt{288} \), we first look for the prime factorization of 288.
- Start by dividing by the smallest prime number: \[ 288 \div 2 = 144 \] \[ 144 \div 2 = 72 \] \[ 72 \div 2 = 36 \] \[ 36 \div 2 = 18 \] \[ 18 \div 2 = 9 \] \[ 9 \div 3 = 3 \] \[ 3 \div 3 = 1 \]
So, the prime factorization of \( 288 \) is: \[ 288 = 2^5 \times 3^2 \]
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Now, we can use this factorization to simplify \( \sqrt{288} \): \[ \sqrt{288} = \sqrt{2^5 \times 3^2} \]
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Use the property of square roots: \[ \sqrt{a \times b} = \sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b} \] Thus, \[ \sqrt{288} = \sqrt{2^5} \times \sqrt{3^2} \]
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Simplify each square root:
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For \( \sqrt{2^5} \): \[ \sqrt{2^5} = \sqrt{2^4 \times 2} = \sqrt{2^4} \times \sqrt{2} = 4\sqrt{2} \]
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For \( \sqrt{3^2} \): \[ \sqrt{3^2} = 3 \]
- Combine the results: \[ \sqrt{288} = 4\sqrt{2} \times 3 = 12\sqrt{2} \]
Thus, the simplified form of \( \sqrt{288} \) is: \[ \boxed{12\sqrt{2}} \]