A television host, comedian and activist, Ellen DeGeneres (1958 – ) and rose to stardom on her own sit-com. While on her show, DeGeneres publicly announced that she was a lesbian. One of the first openly gay celebrities, DeGeneres faced scorn and discrimination. Among many other individuals, DeGeneres’s declaration brought the issue into the public conversation and paved a way for gay rights legislation and increasing acceptance.

Simplify the expressions by rationalizing the denominators. The word or phrase next to the correct response will complete the statement.

2 16 − √3 √6

Ellen DeGeneres was born in Metairie, ______. After high school, DeGeneres worked jobs as

(2√3)⁄ a waitress, vacuum salesman and a _____. a. 9 California −(8√6) (2√3)⁄ a. ⁄ house painter b. 3 Louisiana 3 −(16√6) c. 2√3 North Carolina b. ⁄ landscaper 3 c. −16√6 preschool teacher 10 3

7√2 7 + √5 At age ______, DeGeneres began stand-up In 1986, she performed on the Tonight Show

comedy in a local coffee house. and was the first female comic to be invited to (5 20) √ ⁄ “sit on the couch” by _____. a. 49 17 (5√2) a. 21 − 7√5 David Letterman b. ⁄ 23 7 (21 + 3√5) b. ⁄ Jay Leno (10√3)⁄ 41 c. 14 26 (21 − 3√5)⁄ c. 44 Johnny Carson 2√7 4√5

4 + √6 9 − √5 DeGeneres landed her first full-time role on In 1997, DeGeneres openly said she was gay

the TV show ______. in an interview with _____ that was seen by 42 (4 7 + 42) √ √ ⁄ million viewers. a. 22 News Radio (5 − 9√5) (4√7 − √42)⁄ a. ⁄ Barbara Walters b. 5 Open House 76 (5 + 9√5) (4√7 + √42)⁄ b. ⁄ Oprah Winfrey c. 24 These Friends of Mine 19 c. 4 + 8√5 Rosie O’Donnell √2 + √3 √15 + √6

√2 − √3 √15 − √6 In her career she has won numerous awards An animal lover, DeGeneres is a ______and including ____ Daytime Emmy Awards for advocates on a variety of animal rights issues. Outstanding Talk Show. a. 7 − 2√10 pet owner a. −2√6 − 5 five (7 + 2√10)⁄ b. 3 vegan (2√6 + 5) b. ⁄ seven (7 − 2√10)⁄ 3 c. 3 vegetarian −(2√6 − 5)⁄ c. 6 three © 21st Century Math Projects 2 16 10 − √3 √6 7√2

3 2√7

7 + √5 4 + √6

4√5 √2 + √3 √15 + √6

9 − √5 √2 − √3 √15 − √6

© 21st Century Math Projects A television host, comedian and activist, Ellen DeGeneres (1958 – ) and rose to stardom on her own sit-com. While on her show, DeGeneres publicly announced that she was a lesbian. One of the first openly gay celebrities, DeGeneres faced scorn and discrimination. Among many other individuals, DeGeneres’s declaration brought the issue into the public conversation and paved a way for gay rights legislation and increasing acceptance.

Simplify the expressions by rationalizing the denominators. The word or phrase next to the correct response will complete the statement.

2 16 − √3 √6

Ellen DeGeneres was born in Metairie, ______. After high school, DeGeneres worked jobs as

(2√3)⁄ a waitress, vacuum salesman and a _____. a. 9 California −(8√6) (2√3)⁄ a. ⁄ house painter b. 3 Louisiana 3 −(16√6) c. 2√3 North Carolina b. ⁄ landscaper 3 c. −16√6 preschool teacher 10 3

7√2 7 + √5 At age ______, DeGeneres began stand-up In 1986, she performed on the Tonight Show

comedy in a local coffee house. and was the first female comic to be invited to (5 20) √ ⁄ “sit on the couch” by _____. a. 49 17 (5√2) a. 21 − 7√5 David Letterman b. ⁄ 23 7 (21 + 3√5) b. ⁄ Jay Leno (10√3)⁄ 41 c. 14 26 (21 − 3√5)⁄ c. 44 Johnny Carson 2√7 4√5

4 + √6 9 − √5 DeGeneres landed her first full-time role on In 1997, DeGeneres openly said she was gay

the TV show ______. in an interview with _____ that was seen by 42 (4 7 + 42) √ √ ⁄ million viewers. a. 22 News Radio (5 − 9√5) (4√7 − √42)⁄ a. ⁄ Barbara Walters b. 5 Open House 76 (5 + 9√5) (4√7 + √42)⁄ b. ⁄ Oprah Winfrey c. 24 These Friends of Mine 19 c. 4 + 8√5 Rosie O’Donnell √2 + √3 √15 + √6

√2 − √3 √15 − √6 In her career she has won numerous awards An animal lover, DeGeneres is a ______and including ____ Daytime Emmy Awards for advocates on a variety of animal rights issues. Outstanding Talk Show. a. 7 − 2√10 pet owner a. −2√6 − 5 five (7 + 2√10)⁄ b. 3 vegan (2√6 + 5) b. ⁄ seven (7 − 2√10)⁄ 3 c. 3 vegetarian −(2√6 − 5)⁄ c. 6 three © 21st Century Math Projects