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# Surds are like turds - please help! watch

1. Hi everyone! I'm really stuck on a surds question - would anyone be able to help?

This is the question...

Work out the value of (√12 - √3)²

How would you work it out, step by step?

Thank you!
2. Any method with expanding brackets would work as

Personally I would draw myself a mutiplication table with and .

Remember the surd rule: and you can use this rule to split into

Table would look like this:

And just simplify these values then add them up.
3. (Original post by dowajuseyo)
Hi everyone! I'm really stuck on a surds question - would anyone be able to help?

This is the question...

Work out the value of (√12 - √3)²

How would you work it out, step by step?

Thank you!
(Original post by RDKGames)
Any method with expanding brackets would work as

Personally I would draw myself a mutiplication table with and .

Remember the surd rule: and you can use this rule to split into

Table would look like this:

And just simplify these values then add them up.
Much faster to simplify sqrt(12) first to 2sqrt(3). Then you just have 2sqrt(3)-sqrt(3) inside the bracket, which becomes sqrt(3), and then squaring gives the answer of 3 immediately.
4. (Original post by HapaxOromenon3)
Much faster to simplify sqrt(12) first to 2sqrt(3). Then you just have 2sqrt(3)-sqrt(3) inside the bracket, which becomes sqrt(3), and then squaring gives the answer of 3 immediately.
brb, gonna slap myself for not noticing that. I knew root 12 goes into 2root3 but didn't notice I can take one away from the other lol.

5. (Original post by dowajuseyo)
Hi everyone! I'm really stuck on a surds question - would anyone be able to help?

This is the question...

Work out the value of (√12 - √3)²

How would you work it out, step by step?

Thank you!
Step by step solutions aren't encouraged to be given here. I can relate all too well with being completely stuck with questions and not knowing where to begin, but it's often a good idea to remind yourself of the topic that you're given - eg in this case it is both surds and expanding the brackets (the square). Ask yourself what you know about each of those topics and how they could possibly be applied to the question, and try something - if you're still stuck after that you should post with your working.

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 You are Here: Home >< Maths

# Surds are like turds - please help! watch

1. Hi everyone! I'm really stuck on a surds question - would anyone be able to help?

This is the question...

Work out the value of (√12 - √3)²

How would you work it out, step by step?

Thank you!
2. Any method with expanding brackets would work as

Personally I would draw myself a mutiplication table with and .

Remember the surd rule: and you can use this rule to split into

Table would look like this:

And just simplify these values then add them up.
3. (Original post by dowajuseyo)
Hi everyone! I'm really stuck on a surds question - would anyone be able to help?

This is the question...

Work out the value of (√12 - √3)²

How would you work it out, step by step?

Thank you!
(Original post by RDKGames)
Any method with expanding brackets would work as

Personally I would draw myself a mutiplication table with and .

Remember the surd rule: and you can use this rule to split into

Table would look like this:

And just simplify these values then add them up.
Much faster to simplify sqrt(12) first to 2sqrt(3). Then you just have 2sqrt(3)-sqrt(3) inside the bracket, which becomes sqrt(3), and then squaring gives the answer of 3 immediately.
4. (Original post by HapaxOromenon3)
Much faster to simplify sqrt(12) first to 2sqrt(3). Then you just have 2sqrt(3)-sqrt(3) inside the bracket, which becomes sqrt(3), and then squaring gives the answer of 3 immediately.
brb, gonna slap myself for not noticing that. I knew root 12 goes into 2root3 but didn't notice I can take one away from the other lol.

5. (Original post by dowajuseyo)
Hi everyone! I'm really stuck on a surds question - would anyone be able to help?

This is the question...

Work out the value of (√12 - √3)²

How would you work it out, step by step?

Thank you!
Step by step solutions aren't encouraged to be given here. I can relate all too well with being completely stuck with questions and not knowing where to begin, but it's often a good idea to remind yourself of the topic that you're given - eg in this case it is both surds and expanding the brackets (the square). Ask yourself what you know about each of those topics and how they could possibly be applied to the question, and try something - if you're still stuck after that you should post with your working.

Reply
Submit reply
TSR Support Team

We have a brilliant team of more than 60 Support Team members looking after discussions on The Student Room, helping to make it a fun, safe and useful place to hang out.

This forum is supported by:
Updated: August 6, 2016
Today on TSR

### Three reasons you may feel demotivated right now

...and how to stay positive

### Can I get A*s if I start revising now?

Discussions on TSR

• Latest
Poll
Useful resources

## Make your revision easier

### Maths Forum posting guidelines

Not sure where to post? Read the updated guidelines here

### How to use LaTex

Writing equations the easy way

### Study habits of A* students

Top tips from students who have already aced their exams

Can you help? Study help unanswered threads

## Groups associated with this forum:

View associated groups
Discussions on TSR

• Latest

The Student Room, Get Revising and Marked by Teachers are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd.

Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE

Write a reply...
Reply
Hide
Reputation gems: You get these gems as you gain rep from other members for making good contributions and giving helpful advice.
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The text passage contains a mathematical question and provides an answer to it, along with explanations and alternative methods.

TYPE: SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER