Example

Simplifying 4875\sqrt{48} - \sqrt{75}

Simplify the expression 4875\sqrt{48} - \sqrt{75}, where both square roots must be simplified before the terms can be combined.

Neither 48\sqrt{48} nor 75\sqrt{75} is in simplified form. Extract the largest perfect square factor from each radicand:

48=163=163=43\sqrt{48} = \sqrt{16 \cdot 3} = \sqrt{16} \cdot \sqrt{3} = 4\sqrt{3}

75=253=253=53\sqrt{75} = \sqrt{25 \cdot 3} = \sqrt{25} \cdot \sqrt{3} = 5\sqrt{3}

Rewrite the expression with the simplified radicals:

43534\sqrt{3} - 5\sqrt{3}

Both terms now contain 3\sqrt{3}, making them like radicals. Subtract the coefficients: 45=14 - 5 = -1.

4875=3\sqrt{48} - \sqrt{75} = -\sqrt{3}

This example shows that when both radicals need simplification, simplifying each one separately can reveal a common radicand. The result is negative because the coefficient of the subtracted term (55) exceeds the coefficient of the first term (44).

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Updated 2026-04-21

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