Rationalise the denominator of 1/(4 + sqrt(3))

This denominator is irrational because it contains a surd. To rationalise the denominator we multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. In this case, the conjugate of the denominator is 4-sqrt(3)Therefore we get 1/(4 + sqrt(3)) * (4 - sqrt(3))/(4 - sqrt(3)). This simplifies to: (4 - sqrt(3))/(16 + 4sqrt(3) - 4sqrt(3) -3) and therefore: (4 - sqrt(3))/13

GM
Answered by Giles M. Maths tutor

7383 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I calculate negative powers?


Find the value of X and Y if X^2 + Y^2 = 13 and 2X + Y = 1


Express 6x^2+4x-1 in the form a(x+b)^2+c


Amber earns £7 for each hour she works from Monday to Friday. She earns £10 for each hour she works on Saturday. One week Amber worked for 4 hours on Saturday. That week she earned a total of £180 (a) How many hours did Amber work that week?


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