√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

5328 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Denise buys 5 apples and 3 bananas for £3.15. A banana costs 25p more than an apple. How much would it cost to buy 4 apples and 2 bananas?


Expand the brackets: (2x + 4)(x + 3)


The new reading for James' electricity bill is 7580, and the old reading is 7510, the price per unit is 13p, how much does James have to pay for his electricity?


Solve the simultaneous equations. 2x + y = 18, x − y = 6


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