How do you simplify the square root of 720?

Answer 1

First you have to find the factors of 720...

2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5

So basically you have sqrt(2x2x2x2x3x3x5)

If you notice that you have 24 and 32

Whenever you have something under the square root you can take it out of the square root if you have two of that number. since you have 2 threes can you can take out 2 threes and you have this...

3 times sqrt(2x2x2x2x5)

remember to not square the 3 when its outside the sqrt. now you have to recognize that you have two 22s. so you have take out one of them...

2 times 2 times 3 times sqrt(5)

so sqrt(720) = 12sqrt(5)

I know it can get confusing. Just practice at it and you'll get it.