Value Assessment Challenge: Finding the Greatest Number

Square Root Evaluation with Radical Simplification

Choose the largest value

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Choose the largest value
00:03 Calculate the quotient
00:06 Calculate the square root of 9
00:10 Convert from the root of the fraction to the root of the numerator and the root of the denominator
00:13 Calculate each root, and calculate the quotient
00:27 Calculate the quotients
00:35 The square root of 6 is less than square root of 9
00:41 We know that 4 squared equals 16
00:45 Therefore the square root of 18 is definitely greater than 4, thus greater than 3
00:49 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Choose the largest value

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Simplify each choice using the Square Root Quotient Property.
  • Step 2: Calculate the square root of each simplified fraction.
  • Step 3: Compare these values to find the largest one.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: Simplify each choice:
Choice 1: 364=364=62=3 \sqrt{\frac{36}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{36}}{\sqrt{4}} = \frac{6}{2} = 3
Choice 2: 3616=3616=64=1.5 \sqrt{\frac{36}{16}} = \frac{\sqrt{36}}{\sqrt{16}} = \frac{6}{4} = 1.5
Choice 3: 366=366=662.45 \sqrt{\frac{36}{6}} = \frac{\sqrt{36}}{\sqrt{6}} = \frac{6}{\sqrt{6}} \approx 2.45 (approximating since it is irrational)
Choice 4: 362=362=62=6×22=324.24 \sqrt{\frac{36}{2}} = \frac{\sqrt{36}}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{6}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{6 \times \sqrt{2}}{2} = 3\sqrt{2} \approx 4.24

Step 2: Evaluate to find which is the largest value:
Choice 1 equals 3, Choice 2 equals 1.5, Choice 3 equals approximately 2.45, and Choice 4 approximately equals 4.24.

Step 3: Compare these values. Clearly, 4.24 4.24 is the largest.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 362 \sqrt{\frac{36}{2}} .

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Final Answer

362 \sqrt{\frac{36}{2}}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Property: Use quotient rule: √(a/b) = √a/√b for positive values
  • Technique: Simplify √(36/2) = 6/√2 = 3√2 ≈ 4.24
  • Check: Compare all calculated values: 3, 1.5, 2.45, and 4.24 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Not rationalizing denominators or comparing without calculating
    Don't just compare the denominators 4, 16, 6, 2 and assume smaller means larger result! This ignores how square roots work. Always calculate each expression fully: √(36/4) = 3, √(36/16) = 1.5, √(36/6) ≈ 2.45, √(36/2) ≈ 4.24.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Choose the expression that is equal to the following:

\( \sqrt{a}:\sqrt{b} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just compare the denominators to find the answer?

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The denominators alone don't tell the whole story! A smaller denominator actually makes the fraction larger, so 362 \frac{36}{2} is bigger than 364 \frac{36}{4} . Always calculate the actual square root values.

How do I handle irrational results like √6?

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When you get irrational numbers like 66 \frac{6}{\sqrt{6}} , you can rationalize by multiplying by 66 \frac{\sqrt{6}}{\sqrt{6}} to get 6 \sqrt{6} , or use a calculator for decimal approximation.

What's the quotient property for square roots?

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The quotient property states: ab=ab \sqrt{\frac{a}{b}} = \frac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}} when both a and b are positive. This lets you separate the square root of a fraction into the ratio of two square roots.

Should I rationalize √(36/2) = 6/√2?

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You can, but it's not required for comparison! 62=32 \frac{6}{\sqrt{2}} = 3\sqrt{2} after rationalizing. Both forms equal approximately 4.24, which is clearly the largest value.

How can I quickly estimate which is largest without a calculator?

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Look for perfect squares first: √(36/4) = 6/2 = 3, √(36/16) = 6/4 = 1.5. Then estimate: √(36/6) is between 2 and 3, while √(36/2) is between 4 and 5 since 21.4 \sqrt{2} \approx 1.4 .

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