Question

Determine if each root is a rational or irrational number. Explain your reasoning. a.√36 b.√78

Answer 1

a) rational

b) irrational

Explanation:

a) 36 = 6²

So sqrt(36) = 6

b) 72 = 2 × 36

sqrt(72) = sqrt(2) × sqrt(36)

Since 2 is not a perfect square, sqrt(72) is irrational