1988 AMC 12 Problem 1

Attempt Problem 1 of the 1988 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1988 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

1.

8+18=\sqrt8+\sqrt{18}=
20\sqrt{20}
2(2+3)2(\sqrt2+\sqrt3)
77
525\sqrt2
2132\sqrt{13}
Answer: D
Concepts:simplifying radicalslike terms
Small hint:
Extract the largest square factor from each radicand
Big hint:
After simplifying, the two radicals are like terms
Solution:
We have 8=22\sqrt8=2\sqrt2 and 18=32.\sqrt{18}=3\sqrt2. Their sum is 52.5\sqrt2.
Thus the correct answer is D.
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.