How do I write this into SRform please walk me through

5/(sqrt5 - sqrt 3)

9 answers

Rationalize the denominator by multilpling the numerator and denominator by (sqrt5+sqrt3).

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how come when I put into my calculator
(sqrt5 - sqrt 3)^2
i get .2540333076 not 5-3 or simply 2...?????????
(A-B)^2 = A^2 + B^2 - 2AB
So if you substitute A=sqrt5, and B=sqrt3, you get
(sqrt5-sqrt3)^2
=5+3-2*sqrt(15)
=8-2*sqrt(15)
=0.254...
I do see however when I put into my calculator

(5^(2^-1)-3^(2^-1))^-1(5^(2^-1)-3^(2^-1))^-1^-1 I get one in the denomenator which is not what I'm trying to do?
yah but i have to do it with out a calculator it's SRform right has to be done without calculator?
=0.254...
I see why I get this but I don't think I'm suppose to get an answer that has a lot of digits correct?
Did you read the short tutorial about rationlizing the denominator by muliplying by the conjugate? Do that.
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Thanks.
You did not follow Bob's suggestion. You should be multiplying sqrt5 - sqrt3 by sqrt5 + sqrt3 in the denominator.

Your answer will still have "a lot of digits" if done in decimal form because there will be a radical in the numerator. You should not be using a calculator for this question.

The answer is (5/2)(sqrt5 + sqrt3) = 9.92..