Example

Simplifying 10755\frac{10 - \sqrt{75}}{5} and 6453\frac{6 - \sqrt{45}}{3}

Simplify fractions whose numerators are binomials containing a square root by simplifying the radical first and then canceling common factors. 10755\frac{10 - \sqrt{75}}{5}: Extract the largest perfect square factor from the radicand: 75=253=53\sqrt{75} = \sqrt{25 \cdot 3} = 5\sqrt{3}. The fraction becomes 10535\frac{10 - 5\sqrt{3}}{5}. Factor out the common factor of 55 from the numerator to get 5(23)5\frac{5(2 - \sqrt{3})}{5}. Cancel the 55 in the numerator and denominator to obtain the simplified expression 232 - \sqrt{3}. 6453\frac{6 - \sqrt{45}}{3}: Simplify the radical by extracting the perfect square factor: 45=95=35\sqrt{45} = \sqrt{9 \cdot 5} = 3\sqrt{5}. The fraction becomes 6353\frac{6 - 3\sqrt{5}}{3}. Factor out the common factor of 33 from the numerator to yield 3(25)3\frac{3(2 - \sqrt{5})}{3}. Cancel the 33 to leave the simplified result 252 - \sqrt{5}.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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