16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardDifference of squares of conjugate surds

Advanced Math practice question

The expression (1 + √2)² − (1 − √2)² can be written as k√2, where k is an integer. What is the value of k?

Answer: 4

Using a² − b² = (a − b)(a + b) with a = 1 + √2 and b = 1 − √2: (2√2)(2) = 4√2. So k = 4.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 0
0 assumes the two squares are equal; they differ in the cross term.
If you answered 2
2 halves the result, forgetting one factor of 2.
If you answered 8
8 doubles the result.

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