Simplify each square root expression. Describe the simplified form of the expression as rational or irrational. In your final answer, include all of your work.

1. √121
2. √48
WRITER

1 answer

Let's simplify each square root expression step by step.

1. Simplifying \( \sqrt{121} \)

Step 1: Identify perfect squares. The number 121 is a perfect square because it can be expressed as \( 11 \times 11 \).

Step 2: Apply the square root:

\[ \sqrt{121} = \sqrt{11 \times 11} = 11 \]

Conclusion: The simplified form of \( \sqrt{121} \) is \( 11 \). Since 11 is a whole number, it is classified as a rational number.

2. Simplifying \( \sqrt{48} \)

Step 1: Factor 48 into its prime factors:

\[ 48 = 16 \times 3 = 4 \times 4 \times 3 = 2^4 \times 3^1 \]

Step 2: Identify perfect squares within the factorization. The perfect square is 16, which is \( 4 \times 4 \).

Step 3: Simplify using the square root property:

\[ \sqrt{48} = \sqrt{16 \times 3} = \sqrt{16} \times \sqrt{3} = 4\sqrt{3} \]

Conclusion: The simplified form of \( \sqrt{48} \) is \( 4\sqrt{3} \). Since \( \sqrt{3} \) is an irrational number, \( 4\sqrt{3} \) is also irrational. Thus, \( \sqrt{48} \) is irrational.

Final Answers:

  1. \( \sqrt{121} = 11 \) (rational)
  2. \( \sqrt{48} = 4\sqrt{3} \) (irrational)