01 If \(a=\sqrt{20}\), what is the simplified form of \(a\)?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. \(2\sqrt{5}\)
Explanation: \(\sqrt{20}=\sqrt{4\times5}=\sqrt{4}\times\sqrt{5}=2\sqrt{5}\). Pull out the largest perfect-square factor (here 4) from under the radical. Option B is not simplified (it’s the original form). Options C and D result from incorrect factor extraction. Exam tip: always factor the radicand and remove the largest perfect square to simplify quickly.