1. The first problem is to simplify the expression $$A = \sqrt{72} + \sqrt{50} - 2\sqrt{18}$$. 2. Recall the rule for simplifying square roots: $$\sqrt{a \times b} = \sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b}$$ and that perfect squares can be taken out of the root. 3. Simplify each term: - $$\sqrt{72} = \sqrt{36 \times 2} = 6\sqrt{2}$$ - $$\sqrt{50} = \sqrt{25 \times 2} = 5\sqrt{2}$$ - $$2\sqrt{18} = 2 \times \sqrt{9 \times 2} = 2 \times 3\sqrt{2} = 6\sqrt{2}$$ 4. Substitute back: $$A = 6\sqrt{2} + 5\sqrt{2} - 6\sqrt{2}$$ 5. Combine like terms: $$A = (6 + 5 - 6)\sqrt{2} = 5\sqrt{2}$$ Final answer: $$A = 5\sqrt{2}$$