a+1/a=√8
∴ (a+1/a)²=8
即 a²+1/a²+2*a*(1/a)=8
∴ a²+1/a²+2=8
∴ a²+1/a²=6
∵ (a-1/a)²=a²+1/a²-2*a*(1/a)=a²+1/a²-2=4
∴ a-1/a=2或a-1/a=-2