\((\sqrt{5+\sqrt5}-\sqrt{5-\sqrt5})^2=\)

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 2898
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:49 pm
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:5 members

\((\sqrt{5+\sqrt5}-\sqrt{5-\sqrt5})^2=\)

by Vincen » Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:19 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

\((\sqrt{5+\sqrt5}-\sqrt{5-\sqrt5})^2=\)

A. \(10-4\sqrt5\)

B. \(10-2\sqrt5\)

C. \(20-8\sqrt5\)

D. \(20-4\sqrt5\)

E. \(20-2\sqrt5\)

Answer: A

Source: Magoosh

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 7247
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 43 times
Followed by:29 members
Vincen wrote:
Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:19 am
\((\sqrt{5+\sqrt5}-\sqrt{5-\sqrt5})^2=\)

A. \(10-4\sqrt5\)

B. \(10-2\sqrt5\)

C. \(20-8\sqrt5\)

D. \(20-4\sqrt5\)

E. \(20-2\sqrt5\)

Answer: A

Solution:

Let A = √(5 + √5) and B = √(5 - √5) and recall that (A - B)^2 = A^2 - 2AB + B^2. So here, we have:

A^2 = 5 + √5

B^2 = 5 - √5

and

AB = √(5 + √5) * √(5 - √5) = √(25 - 5) = √20 = 2√5

Therefore, we have:

(A - B)^2 = A^2 - 2AB + B^2 = 5 + √5 - 2(2√5) + 5 - √5 = 10 - 4√5

Answer: A

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage