2011 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 16

Problem 16

Which of the following is equal to $\sqrt{9-6\sqrt{2}}+\sqrt{9+6\sqrt{2}}$ ?

$\text{(A)}\,3\sqrt2 \qquad\text{(B)}\,2\sqrt6 \qquad\text{(C)}\,\frac{7\sqrt2}{2} \qquad\text{(D)}\,3\sqrt3 \qquad\text{(E)}\,6$

Solution 1

We find the answer by squaring, then square rooting the expression.

$\begin{align*} &\sqrt{9-6\sqrt{2}}+\sqrt{9+6\sqrt{2}}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{\left(\sqrt{9-6\sqrt{2}}+\sqrt{9+6\sqrt{2}}\right)^2}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{9-6\sqrt{2}+2\sqrt{(9-6\sqrt{2})(9+6\sqrt{2})}+9+6\sqrt{2}}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{18+2\sqrt{(9-6\sqrt{2})(9+6\sqrt{2})}}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{18+2\sqrt{9^2-(6\sqrt{2})^2}}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{18+2\sqrt{81-72}}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{18+2\sqrt{9}}\\\\ = \ &\sqrt{18+6}\\\\= \ &\sqrt{24}\\\\ = \ &\boxed{2\sqrt{6} \ \mathbf{(B)}}. \end{align*}$

Solution 2 (FASTER!)

We can change the insides of the square root into a perfect square and then simplify.

$\sqrt{9-6\sqrt{2}}+\sqrt{9+6\sqrt{2}}$ $= \sqrt{6-6\sqrt{2}+3}+\sqrt{6+6\sqrt{2}+3}$ $= \sqrt{\left(\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{3}\right)^2}+\sqrt{\left(\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{3}\right)^2}$ $= \sqrt{6}-\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{6}+\sqrt{3}$ $= \boxed{B) 2\sqrt{6}}$

will3145

Solution 3 (For people who have mad skillz!) *defunct

This method does not work.

lol what is this? deleted bc it doesn’t work. see History to look at it ~Unum

2011 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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2011 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 16

Contents

Problem 16

Solution 1

Solution 2 (FASTER!)

Solution 3 (For people who have mad skillz!) *defunct

See Also