Simplify 3\(\sqrt{45} - 12\sqrt{5} + 16\sqrt{20}\), leaving your answer in surd form.

MATHEMATICS
WAEC 2007

Simplify 3\(\sqrt{45} - 12\sqrt{5} + 16\sqrt{20}\), leaving your answer in surd form.

  • A. 29\(\sqrt{5}\)
  • B. 14\(\sqrt{15}\)
  • C. 12\(\sqrt{15}\)
  • D. 11\(\sqrt{15}\)

Correct Answer: A. 29\(\sqrt{5}\)

Explanation

3 \(\sqrt{45} - 12\sqrt{5} + 16\sqrt{20}\)

= 3 x \(\sqrt{9 \times 5} - 12 \times \sqrt{5} + 16 \times \sqrt{4 \times 5}\)

= 3 x 3 x \(\sqrt{5} - 12 \times \sqrt{5} + 16 \times 2 \times \sqrt{5}\)

= 9\(\sqrt{5} - 2 \sqrt{5} + 32 \sqrt{5}\)

= 9\(\sqrt{5} + 32\sqrt{5} - 12\sqrt{5}\)

= 29\(\sqrt{5}\)



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