Identify Conjugate of Denominator: Identify the conjugate of the denominator.The conjugate of a−b is a+b. Therefore, the conjugate of −6−2 is −6+2.
Multiply by Conjugate: Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator.To rationalize the denominator, we multiply the expression by a fraction equivalent to 1 that has the conjugate of the denominator in both the numerator and the denominator.(−6−22)×(−6+2−6+2)
Apply Distributive Property: Apply the distributive property to the numerator.Multiply 2 by each term in the conjugate (−6+2).2×(−6)+2×2=−12+22
Apply Difference of Squares: Apply the difference of squares to the denominator.(−6−2)∗(−6+2)=(−6)2−(2)236−2=34
Combine Numerator and Denominator: Combine the simplified numerator and denominator. The expression now is (−12+22)/34.
Simplify by Dividing: Simplify the expression by dividing each term in the numerator by the denominator.34−12 + 3422
Reduce Fractions: Reduce the fractions to their simplest form.Both −12 and 34 are divisible by 2, so we can simplify the first term to −176. The second term cannot be simplified further.(−176)+(172)
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