Subjects algebra

Product Conjugates Dfc236

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Question: c. $\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \sqrt{2}\right)\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \sqrt{2}\right)$ f. $\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} \left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)$
1. **Problem statement:** Simplify the expression $$\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \sqrt{2}\right)\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \sqrt{2}\right)$$. 2. **Formula used:** This is a product of conjugates, which follows the identity $$ (a+b)(a-b) = a^2 - b^2 $$. 3. **Identify terms:** Let $$a = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$$ and $$b = \sqrt{2}$$. 4. **Apply the formula:** $$\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \sqrt{2}\right)\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \sqrt{2}\right) = \left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)^2 - (\sqrt{2})^2$$ 5. **Calculate squares:** $$\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{(\sqrt{2})^2} = \frac{1}{2}$$ $$ (\sqrt{2})^2 = 2 $$ 6. **Substitute back:** $$ \frac{1}{2} - 2 $$ 7. **Simplify:** $$ \frac{1}{2} - 2 = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{4}{2} = \frac{1 - 4}{2} = \frac{-3}{2} $$ **Final answer:** $$\boxed{-\frac{3}{2}}$$