√5( √8 +√18) can be written in the form a√10 where a is an integer.

First, I would take into account the important parts of the question. I'm looking for an answer in the form of "a√10, where a is an integer". I would explain if not known that an integer is just a whole number.
Then I would address my method for getting to the answer with the shortest amount of work - for example we see that the equation √5( √8 +√18) has a √5 outside the brackets. As we know that √5√2 can be expressed as √10, we know that we need to get √2 from the expression inside the brackets to the outside, factorising it. We then look inside the brackets as to how we can factorise √2. As the expression is √8 +√18 and we know that multiplication and division works the same when the numbers are all a root, we can see that we can factorise this as √2(√4 +√9), which we can further factorise in the context of the question as √2√5(√4 +√9) and simplify as √10(√4 +√9). This gives us a form similar to our required answer. If we solve the terms that are bracketed (√4 +√9) we get ( 2+3) or 5. We can then present the answer in the form 5√10, with a=5.

GW
Answered by George W. Maths tutor

5243 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Make y the subject of (y/x)+(2y/(x+4))=3


The number of uniform spherical shots that can be made from a given mass of lead varies inversely to the cube of the radius. When the radius is 1mm the number of shots made is 2744. How many shots of radius 1.4mm can be made from the same mass.


What are the different ways to solve a quadratic equation?


Expand and simplify 3(m + 4) – 2(4m + 1)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning