Solve for y in \(\sqrt{75}\) - \(\sqrt{12}\) + \(\sqrt{27}\) = y\(\sqrt{3}\)

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Mathematics - 2025 Subject: General Mathematics

Question 1 Report

Solve for y in \(\sqrt{75}\) - \(\sqrt{12}\) + \(\sqrt{27}\) = y\(\sqrt{3}\)

Answer Details

To solve for y in the equation

\[ \sqrt{75} - \sqrt{12} + \sqrt{27} = y \sqrt{3} \]

we need to express each square root on the left in terms of \(\sqrt{3}\).

  • \(\sqrt{75}\) can be written as \(\sqrt{25 \times 3} = \sqrt{25} \times \sqrt{3} = 5\sqrt{3}\)
  • \(\sqrt{12}\) can be written as \(\sqrt{4 \times 3} = \sqrt{4} \times \sqrt{3} = 2\sqrt{3}\)
  • \(\sqrt{27}\) can be written as \(\sqrt{9 \times 3} = \sqrt{9} \times \sqrt{3} = 3\sqrt{3}\)

Now substitute these into the original equation:

\[ 5\sqrt{3} - 2\sqrt{3} + 3\sqrt{3} = y\sqrt{3} \]

Combine the coefficients of \(\sqrt{3}\):

\[ (5 - 2 + 3)\sqrt{3} = y\sqrt{3} \]

\[ 6\sqrt{3} = y\sqrt{3} \]

Since the terms on both sides have \(\sqrt{3}\), divide both sides by \(\sqrt{3}\):

\[ y = 6 \]

This means the correct value of \(y\) is 6, so the simplified expression is \(6\sqrt{3}\).

Underlying concept: The solution relies on simplifying square roots by factoring out perfect squares, and then collecting like terms. Any square root like \(\sqrt{ab}\) can be written as \(\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b}\), which helps combine expressions involving the same irrational factor.

Download The App On Google Playstore

Everything you need to excel in your exams

Green Bridge CBT Mobile App
Personalized AI Learning Chat Assistant
200,000+ Exam Questions Across IGCSE, JAMB, WAEC & NECO
Over 3,900 Lesson Notes
Offline Support - Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Green Bridge Timetable
Literature Summaries & Potential Questions
Track Your Performance & Progress
In-depth Explanations for Comprehensive Learning