Home » Further Mathematics » Express (frac{8 – 3sqrt{6}}{2sqrt{3} + 3sqrt{2}}) in the form (psqrt{3} + qsqrt{2}).

Express (frac{8 – 3sqrt{6}}{2sqrt{3} + 3sqrt{2}}) in the form (psqrt{3} + qsqrt{2}).

Express (frac{8 – 3sqrt{6}}{2sqrt{3} + 3sqrt{2}}) in the form (psqrt{3} + qsqrt{2}).

  • A.
    (7sqrt{3} – frac{17sqrt{2}}{3})
  • B.
    (7sqrt{2} – frac{17sqrt{3}}{3})
  • C.
    (-7sqrt{2} + frac{17sqrt{3}}{3})
  • D.
    (-7sqrt{3} – frac{17sqrt{2}}{3})
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation

Given (frac{8 – 3sqrt{6}}{2sqrt{3} + 3sqrt{2}}),

first, we rationalise  by multiplying through with (2sqrt{3} – 3sqrt{2}) (the inverse of the denominator).

((frac{8 – 3sqrt{6}}{2sqrt{3} + 3sqrt{2}})(frac{2sqrt{3} – 3sqrt{2}}{2sqrt{3} – 3sqrt{2}}))

= (frac{16sqrt{3} – 24sqrt{2} – 18sqrt{2} + 18sqrt{3}}{4(3) – 6sqrt{6} + 6sqrt{6} – 9(2)})

= (frac{34sqrt{3} – 42sqrt{2}}{-6} = 7sqrt{2} – frac{17sqrt{3}}{3})