$6\sqrt{24} + 7\sqrt{54} - 12\sqrt{6}$ = $21\sqrt{6}$ but I get $207\sqrt{6}$

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I'm asked to simplify $6\sqrt{24} + 7\sqrt{54} - 12\sqrt{6}$

The provided solution is $21\sqrt{6}$ but I arrive at a different amount.

Here is my working, trying to understand where I went wrong:

First expression:$6\sqrt{24}$ = $6\sqrt{4}$ * $6\sqrt{6}$ = $6*2*6\sqrt{6}$ = $72\sqrt{6}$

Second expression:$7\sqrt{54}$ = $7\sqrt{9} * 7\sqrt{6}$ = $147\sqrt{6}$

Third expression is already the remaining common expression $12\sqrt{6}$.

So: $147\sqrt{6} + 72\sqrt{6} - 12\sqrt{6}$ = $207\sqrt{6}$

Where did I go wrong?

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3 Answers

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$a\sqrt{bc} = a\sqrt{b}\sqrt c$.

It is FALSE that $a \sqrt{bc} = a\sqrt b\times a\sqrt c$. There is only one $a$; not two.

$6\sqrt{24} = 6\sqrt{4\times 6}= 6\sqrt 4 \times \sqrt 6$.

Your calculation $6\sqrt{4\times 6} = (6\sqrt{4})\times (6\sqrt{6})$ is just plain wrong.

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$$6\sqrt{24} + 7\sqrt{54} - 12\sqrt{6}=6\cdot2\sqrt6+7\cdot3\sqrt6-12\sqrt6=21\sqrt6.$$I used the following law.

$$a(bc)=(ab)c.$$For example,$$6\cdot2\sqrt6=(6\cdot2)\sqrt6=12\sqrt6.$$

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Notice while simplifying the radicals you are multiplying 6,7 twice...

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