Multiplying the Numbers Inside the Square Roots

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 7 views

Understanding the Problem

When dealing with the product of two square roots, we need to remember that the square root of a number is the same as raising that number to the power of 1/2. In this case, we are given the expression $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$ . To simplify this expression, we need to multiply the numbers inside the square roots together.

Multiplying the Numbers Inside the Square Roots

To multiply the numbers inside the square roots, we simply multiply the numbers together. In this case, we have $3 \times 4 = 12$ . So, the expression becomes $12(\sqrt{8}\times\sqrt{3})$ .

Simplifying the Expression Inside the Square Roots

Now, we need to simplify the expression inside the square roots. To do this, we need to multiply the numbers inside the square roots together. In this case, we have $\sqrt{8}\times\sqrt{3}$ . We can simplify this expression by first finding the prime factorization of 8, which is $2^3$ . So, we can rewrite the expression as $\sqrt{2^3}\times\sqrt{3}$ .

Simplifying the Expression Further

Now, we can simplify the expression further by combining the square roots. We have $\sqrt{2^3}\times\sqrt{3} = \sqrt{2^3 \times 3} = \sqrt{24}$ . So, the expression becomes $12\sqrt{24}$ .

Simplifying the Square Root of 24

Now, we need to simplify the square root of 24. To do this, we need to find the prime factorization of 24, which is $2^3 \times 3$ . We can rewrite the expression as $\sqrt{2^3 \times 3}$ . Since the square root of $2^3$ is 2 times the square root of 2, we can rewrite the expression as $2\sqrt{2}\times\sqrt{3}$ .

Simplifying the Expression Further

Now, we can simplify the expression further by combining the square roots. We have $2\sqrt{2}\times\sqrt{3} = 2\sqrt{2 \times 3} = 2\sqrt{6}$ . So, the expression becomes $12 \times 2\sqrt{6}$ .

Final Answer

Now, we can simplify the expression by multiplying the numbers together. We have $12 \times 2\sqrt{6} = 24\sqrt{6}$ . Therefore, the final answer is $24\sqrt{6}$ .

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown how to simplify the product of two square roots. We started by multiplying the numbers inside the square roots together, and then simplified the expression inside the square roots by combining the square roots. Finally, we simplified the square root of 24 by finding the prime factorization of 24 and rewriting the expression in terms of the square root of 2 and the square root of 3. The final answer is $24\sqrt{6}$ .

Answer Key

The final answer is $24\sqrt{6}$ , which corresponds to option A.

Discussion

This problem is a great example of how to simplify the product of two square roots. It requires the student to remember the properties of square roots and how to multiply them together. The student must also be able to simplify the expression inside the square roots by combining the square roots and rewriting the expression in terms of the square root of 2 and the square root of 3.

Practice Problems

Simplify the expression: $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$
Simplify the expression: $(5 \sqrt{7})(3 \sqrt{2})$
Simplify the expression: $(2 \sqrt{9})(4 \sqrt{4})$

Additional Resources

Khan Academy: Simplifying square roots
Mathway: Simplifying square roots
IXL: Simplifying square roots

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the product of $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$ ?

A: The product of $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$ is $24\sqrt{6}$ .

Q: How do I simplify the product of two square roots?

A: To simplify the product of two square roots, you need to multiply the numbers inside the square roots together, and then simplify the expression inside the square roots by combining the square roots.

Q: What is the prime factorization of 8?

A: The prime factorization of 8 is $2^3$ .

Q: How do I simplify the square root of 24?

A: To simplify the square root of 24, you need to find the prime factorization of 24, which is $2^3 \times 3$ . You can then rewrite the expression as $\sqrt{2^3 \times 3}$ and simplify it further by combining the square roots.

Q: What is the final answer to the problem $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$ ?

A: The final answer to the problem $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$ is $24\sqrt{6}$ .

Q: Can I use a calculator to simplify the product of two square roots?

A: While a calculator can be helpful in simplifying the product of two square roots, it is not always necessary. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can simplify the product of two square roots without using a calculator.

Q: How do I know if I have simplified the product of two square roots correctly?

A: To check if you have simplified the product of two square roots correctly, you can plug the simplified expression into the original problem and see if it is true. You can also use a calculator to check your answer.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying the product of two square roots?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying the product of two square roots include:

Not multiplying the numbers inside the square roots together
Not simplifying the expression inside the square roots by combining the square roots
Not checking the final answer to make sure it is true

Q: Can I use this method to simplify the product of more than two square roots?

A: Yes, you can use this method to simplify the product of more than two square roots. Simply multiply the numbers inside the square roots together, and then simplify the expression inside the square roots by combining the square roots.

Q: What are some real-world applications of simplifying the product of two square roots?

A: Simplifying the product of two square roots has many real-world applications, including:

Calculating the area of a square or rectangle
Calculating the volume of a cube or rectangular prism
Calculating the distance between two points on a coordinate plane

Conclusion

Simplifying the product of two square roots is an important skill to have in mathematics. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can simplify the product of two square roots and apply it to real-world problems. Remember to always check your answer to make sure it is true, and to avoid common mistakes such as not multiplying the numbers inside the square roots together or not simplifying the expression inside the square roots by combining the square roots.

Additional Resources

Khan Academy: Simplifying square roots
Mathway: Simplifying square roots
IXL: Simplifying square roots

Practice Problems

Simplify the expression: $(3 \sqrt{8})(4 \sqrt{3})$
Simplify the expression: $(5 \sqrt{7})(3 \sqrt{2})$
Simplify the expression: $(2 \sqrt{9})(4 \sqrt{4})$

Discussion

This article has provided a step-by-step guide on how to simplify the product of two square roots. It has also answered some frequently asked questions and provided some real-world applications of simplifying the product of two square roots. If you have any further questions or need additional help, please don't hesitate to ask.