Express \(\frac{2}{3 - \sqrt{7}} \text{ in the form} a + \sqrt{b}\), where a and b are integers.

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - Further Mathematics - 2009 (Objective) Subject: Further Mathematics

Question 1 Report

Express \(\frac{2}{3 - \sqrt{7}} \text{ in the form} a + \sqrt{b}\), where a and b are integers.

Answer Details
We can begin by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, which is \(3 + \sqrt{7}\). This is done to eliminate the square root in the denominator. \[\frac{2}{3 - \sqrt{7}} \times \frac{3 + \sqrt{7}}{3 + \sqrt{7}} = \frac{2(3 + \sqrt{7})}{9 - 7} = \frac{2(3 + \sqrt{7})}{2} = 3 + \sqrt{7}\] Therefore, \(\frac{2}{3 - \sqrt{7}} = 3 + \sqrt{7}\), and the answer is (B) \(3 + \sqrt{7}\).

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