Question

Rationalise the following surd 2/1+√5

Answer 1

(√5 - 1)) / 2.

Explanation:

2/(1 + √5)

We multiply top and bottom of the fraction by the complement of 1 + √5 which is 1 - √5.

So we have:

2( 1 - √5) / ( 1 + √5)( 1 - √5)

= (2 - 2√5) / (1 - 5)

= 2(1 - √5) / -4

= -1(1 - √5)/ 2

= (√5 - 1)) / 2