## linda 5 years ago Hey can you help with this one: express in simplest form: 3/ the square root of 3a^2b. In other words, 3 is the numerator and the denominator is the square root of 3a^2b

1. anonymous

$\sqrt{3}*a ^{-b}$

2. Linda

can you tell me what you did to get there?

3. Linda

I can't figure out how to get there. I thought maybe to multiply top and bottom of fraction by square root of 3a^2b. Does that sound right?

4. anonymous

yeah that sounds correct to me

5. Linda

so then I end up with 3*sq rt of 3a^2b on the top and 3a^2b in the denominator. but then what do I do next??

6. anonymous

the 3s will cancel and your left with sqrt of 3a^2b / a^2 b

7. Linda

OK i've got you so far. thanks. But then what?

8. Linda

I don't know what to do with numbers when they are in the square root.

9. anonymous

it cant be simplified anymore

10. Linda

oh really? someone else gave me the answer sq rt 3 * a^-b not sure how they got it. It was inik

11. anonymous

you cant just cancel out the denominator like that because because the numerator is under a sq rt

12. Linda

ok so the numerator must stay as is? And so the problem cannot be simplified any further?

13. anonymous

thats what i think.

14. Linda

OK thanks!

15. anonymous