SAT Math : How to factor a common factor out of squares

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Squaring / Square Roots / Radicals

x2 = 36

Quantity A: x

Quantity B: 6

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is greater

The two quantities are equal

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Quantity B is greater

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Explanation:

x2 = 36 -> it is important to remember that this leads to two answers. 

x = 6 or x = -6. 

  If x = 6: A = B.

  If x = -6: A < B.

Thus the relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Example Question #1 : How To Factor A Common Factor Out Of Squares

According to Heron's Formula, the area of a triangle with side lengths of a, b, and c is given by the following:

Hero

where s is one-half of the triangle's perimeter. 

 

What is the area of a triangle with side lengths of 6, 10, and 12 units?

Possible Answers:

4√14

12√5

8√14

48√77

14√2

Correct answer:

8√14

Explanation:

We can use Heron's formula to find the area of the triangle. We can let a = 6, b = 10, and c = 12.

In order to find s, we need to find one half of the perimeter. The perimeter is the sum of the lengths of the sides of the triangle.

Perimeter = a + b + c = 6 + 10 + 12 = 28

In order to find s, we must multiply the perimeter by one-half, which would give us (1/2)(28), or 14.

Now that we have a, b, c, and s, we can calculate the area using Heron's formula. 

Hero

Hero2

 

 

Example Question #1 : How To Factor A Common Factor Out Of Squares

Simplify the radical expression.

\(\displaystyle \sqrt[3]{-64x^{6}y^{12}}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -4x^{2}y^{4}\)

\(\displaystyle 4ix^2y^4\)

\(\displaystyle 2ix^3y^4\)

\(\displaystyle -2x^3y^4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -4x^{2}y^{4}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt[3]{-64x^{6}y^{12}}\)

Look for perfect cubes within each term. This will allow us to factor out of the radical.

\(\displaystyle \sqrt[3]{-64}*\sqrt[3]{x^6}*\sqrt[3]{y^{12}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt[3]{-4*-4*-4}*\sqrt[3]{x^2*x^2*x^2}*\sqrt[3]{y^4*y^4*y^4}\)

Simplify.

\(\displaystyle -4x^{2}y^4\)

Example Question #2 : How To Factor A Common Factor Out Of Squares

Simplify the expression.

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{5}(2\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{12})\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 10\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{15}\)

\(\displaystyle 10\sqrt{15}\)

\(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{30}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{15}\)

Explanation:

Use the distributive property for radicals. 

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{5}(2\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{12})\)

Multiply all terms by \(\displaystyle \sqrt{5}\).

\(\displaystyle (\sqrt{5}*2\sqrt{3})+(\sqrt{5}*\sqrt{12})\)

Combine terms under radicals.

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt{3*5}+\sqrt{12*5}\)

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt{15}+\sqrt{60}\)

Look for perfect square factors under each radical. \(\displaystyle 60\) has a perfect square of \(\displaystyle 4\). The \(\displaystyle 4\) can be factored out.

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt{15}+\sqrt{4*15}\)

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt{15}+2\sqrt{15}\)

Since both radicals are the same, we can add them.

\(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{15}\)

Example Question #1 : How To Factor A Common Factor Out Of Squares

Which of the following expression is equal to

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(45)(9)+(27)(36)}\)

 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 7\sqrt{17}\)

\(\displaystyle 9\sqrt{17}\)

\(\displaystyle 7\sqrt{15}\)

\(\displaystyle 9\sqrt{15}\)

\(\displaystyle 9\sqrt{19}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 9\sqrt{17}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(45)(9)+(27)(36)}\)

When simplifying a square root, consider the factors of each of its component parts:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(3^2)\times5\times(3^{2})+(3^{3})(2^2)(3^2)}\)

Combine like terms:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{5(3^4)+(2^2)(3^5)}\)

Remove the common factor, \(\displaystyle 3^4\):

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(3^4)\times(5+3\times(2^2))}\)

Pull the \(\displaystyle \sqrt{3^4}\) outside of the equation as \(\displaystyle 3^2\):

\(\displaystyle (3^2)\sqrt{5+12}=9\sqrt{17}\)                       

Example Question #31 : Powers & Roots Of Numbers

Which of the following is equal to the following expression?

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(16)(8)+(32)(20)}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2^{3}\sqrt{6}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{7}\sqrt{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^4\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{4}\sqrt{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{3}\sqrt{10}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2^4\sqrt{3}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(16)(8)+(32)(20)}\)

First, break down the components of the square root:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(2^{4})(2^{3})+(2^{5})(2^{2})\times 5}\)

Combine like terms. Remember, when multiplying exponents, add them together:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(2^{7})+(2^{7})\times5}\)

Factor out the common factor of \(\displaystyle 2^7\):

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(2^{7})(1+5)}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(2^7)\times6}\)

Factor the \(\displaystyle 6\):

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(2^7)\times2\times3}\)

Combine the factored \(\displaystyle 2\) with the \(\displaystyle 2^7\):

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(2^{8})\times3}\)

Now, you can pull \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2^8}\) out from underneath the square root sign as \(\displaystyle 2^4\):

\(\displaystyle 2^4\sqrt{3}\)

Example Question #31 : Powers & Roots Of Numbers

Which of the following expressions is equal to the following expression?

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(27)(45)(125)}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 225\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 125\sqrt{27}\)

\(\displaystyle 135\sqrt{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 205\sqrt{3}\)

\(\displaystyle 75\sqrt{20}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 225\sqrt{3}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(27)(45)(125)}\)

First, break down the component parts of the square root:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(3^{3})(5\times 3^{2})(5^{3})}\)

Combine like terms in a way that will let you pull some of them out from underneath the square root symbol:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{(5^{4})(3^4)(3)}\)

Pull out the terms with even exponents and simplify:

\(\displaystyle (5^{2})(3^{2})\sqrt{3}=225\sqrt{3}\)

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