Operations on Real Numbers

Mathematics — Second Preparatory

Common mistakes

Adding unlike roots, such as √2 + √3 = √5. This is wrong.
Ignoring the order of operations. The value of 2 + 3 × (−4) ÷ 2 is −4, not −1, because multiplication and division come before addition.
Writing √(a + b) = √a + √b. For example, √(9 + 16) = 5, while 3 + 4 = 7.
Forgetting to simplify a root before adding or subtracting.

Operations on Real Numbers · 6 / 7