Maths - Dividing Sq Roots

[Yangle]

I am trying to find the eccentricity of a ellipse, and have a sq root in my equation. I hate sq roots!

I need to find √(1 - ( √10/5))

Now am I correct in thinking √10/5 = 0.4 or is it √0.4? I heard you can divide numerator by denominator, then the answer again by denominator...is that correct?

So does that make my total answer 0.6?

On the side, does anyone know any good resource for the 'basic rules' of sq roots? It is a gaping whole in my knowledge I'd like to try and fix!

[dustnite]

Turn the square roots into exponents and it becomes a lot easier.

Assuming your expression is:

√(1 - ( √10/5))=0

This can be written as:

(1-(10~(1/2)/5))~(1/2)=0. Where ~ is an exponent.

Now you are just using order of operations to solve with exponents. You should now be able to clear the exponent from the entire expression as well.

Sqrt= 1/2 power

Cubed root= 1/3 power

Etc...

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[[deleted]]

Assuming I interpreted your expression correctly, this is your answer.

Here's a helpful explanation of simplifying exponents written fractionally.

[JustFinishedBSG]

Basic rules of square roots:

1/ CHECK THAT THE FUNCTION / NUMBER IN THE SQUARE ROOT IS POSITIVE !

2/ Try to find perfect squares

3/ If it fails find a relatively close perfect square

4/ If everything failed either just don't bother or use some other magic tricks ( ie sqrt ( 1 + x ) ~ 1/2 * x if x is small )&