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2021 · Q52

What is the square root of 15 − 4√14?

Elementary MathematicsAlgebra
  1. A2√2 − √7
  2. B3√2 − 2√7
  3. C√15 − √7
  4. D√5 − √3

Explanation

Try the form (√m − √n)² = (m+n) − 2√(mn) = 15 − 4√14 = 15 − 2√56. Then m + n = 15 and mn = 56, giving {m, n} = {8, 7}. So the square root is √8 − √7 = 2√2 − √7. Hence option A.