On the denesting of nested square roots

Authors

Eleftherios Gkioulekas, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-22-2017

Abstract

We present the basic theory of denesting nested square roots, from an elementary point of view, suitable for lower level coursework. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for direct denesting, where the nested expression is rewritten as a sum of square roots of rational numbers, and for indirect denesting, where the nested expression is rewritten as a sum of fourth-order roots of rational numbers. The theory is illustrated with several solved examples.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology on 2018 available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0020739X.2017.1290831

Recommended Citation

Eleftherios Gkioulekas (2017) On the denesting of nested square roots, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 48:6, 942-953, DOI: 10.1080/0020739X.2017.1290831

Publication Title

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology

DOI

10.1080/0020739X.2017.1290831