How can you de-rationalise the denominator of 3sqrt2/2?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the manipulation of the expression 3sqrt2/2, specifically focusing on the process of de-rationalizing the denominator to arrive at 3/sqrt2. The subject area involves algebraic expressions and rationalization techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the expressions 3sqrt2/2 and 3/sqrt2, questioning how to transition between them. There are hints about using the properties of square roots and rationalization techniques. Some participants express confusion regarding the steps involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various participants offering hints and attempting to clarify the process of de-rationalization. There is no explicit consensus on the steps, but several lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants question the definitions and properties of square roots, while others suggest different approaches to manipulate the expressions. There is an underlying assumption that rationalization is a necessary step in the problem context.

Ry122
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How do you get 3/sqrt2 from 3sqrt2/2?
 
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Ask yourself what's (sqrt x)^2?
 
hint: sqrt2/sqrt2 = 1
 
sorry don't follow
 
Try going the other way.
Start with
\frac 3 {\sqrt 2}

to get

\frac {3 \sqrt 2} 2
 
If you're going from 3sqrt2/2 to 3/sqrt2 you're basically de-rationalizing the denominator.
 
By definition (\sqrt{2})^2= \sqrt{2}\sqrt{2}= 2. That means that
\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}= \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}\sqrt{2}}
 
Ry122 said:
How do you get 3/sqrt2 from 3sqrt2/2?

\frac{3}{\sqrt 2} . \frac{\sqrt 2}{\sqrt 2} = \frac{3 \sqrt 2}{2}.

This is rationalising the denominator as you cannot have a surd on the denominator. The question that you are asking is how you get the reverse, de-rationalising the denominator. Try opposite steps to the one I shown.
 

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