1. **State the problem:** Simplify the radical expression $$\sqrt{72}$$. 2. **Recall the formula and rules:** To simplify a square root, find the prime factorization of the number inside the radical and look for perfect square factors. 3. **Prime factorization of 72:** $$72 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 = 2^3 \times 3^2$$ 4. **Identify perfect squares:** $$2^2 = 4 \quad \text{and} \quad 3^2 = 9$$ 5. **Rewrite the radical using perfect squares:** $$\sqrt{72} = \sqrt{4 \times 9 \times 2}$$ 6. **Use the property of radicals:** $$\sqrt{a \times b} = \sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b}$$ So, $$\sqrt{72} = \sqrt{4} \times \sqrt{9} \times \sqrt{2}$$ 7. **Simplify each square root:** $$\sqrt{4} = 2, \quad \sqrt{9} = 3$$ 8. **Multiply the simplified terms:** $$2 \times 3 \times \sqrt{2} = 6\sqrt{2}$$ **Final answer:** $$\boxed{6\sqrt{2}}$$