How Do You Simplify Complex Algebraic Expressions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nameVoid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Expression
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on simplifying a complex algebraic expression involving square roots and polynomial terms. The initial expression is transformed step-by-step, demonstrating the process of combining like terms and canceling factors. Key operations include expanding squares, factoring, and reducing the expression to its simplest form. Ultimately, the simplified result is determined to be 1/3. This process illustrates effective techniques for handling complex algebraic simplifications.
nameVoid
Messages
238
Reaction score
0
%7D)%7D%7B%5Csqrt%7Ba%7D-%5Csqrt%7Bx%7D%7D%7D%7B(%5Csqrt%7Ba%7D%2B1)%5E3-a%5Csqrt%7Ba%7D%2B2%7D).jpg


i can take this down to

Bx%7D)%7D%7B(%5Csqrt%7Ba%7D-%5Csqrt%7Bx%7D)%5B(%5Csqrt%7Ba%7D%2B1)%5E3-a%5E%7B1%2F3%7D%2B2%5D%7D.jpg




 
Physics news on Phys.org
So you are trying to simplify the expression, I take it?

{(\sqrt{a} + 1)^2 - {a-\sqrt {ax} \over \sqrt a - \sqrt x} \over (\sqrt a + 1)^3 - a \sqrt a + 2}

= {(a + 2 \sqrt a + 1)(\sqrt a - \sqrt x) - (a - \sqrt {ax}) \over (\sqrt a - \sqrt x)((\sqrt a + 1)^3 - a \sqrt a + 2)}

= {a \sqrt a - a \sqrt x +2a - 2 \sqrt a \sqrt x + \sqrt a - \sqrt x - a + \sqrt{ax} \over (\sqrt a - \sqrt x)(a^{3 \over 2} + 3a + 3 \sqrt a + 1 - a^{3 \over 2} + 2)}

And then we group like terms and can cancel some things out

={a \sqrt a + a + \sqrt a - a \sqrt x - \sqrt{ax} - \sqrt x \over 3(a \sqrt a + a + \sqrt a - a \sqrt x - \sqrt a \sqrt x - \sqrt x}

= {1 \over 3}
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K