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Expressions
Numbers with a Root
Radical numbers are typically irrational numbers
(unless they simplify to a rational number). Our
calculator gives:
2 1.41421
But the decimal will go on forever and not repeat
because it is an irrational number. For the exact
answer just use:
2
Some radicals can be simplified similar to
simplifying a fraction.
Radical Product Property
a b ab
ONLY when a≥0 and b≥0
For Example:
9 16 9 16 144 12
9 16 3 4 12 Equal
Perfect Squares
27 9 3 9 3 3 3
Ignore the 5 multiplication until the end.
5 32 5 16 2 5 16 2 5 4 2
20 2
Simplifying Square Roots
Simplify these radicals:
A) 16 4 B) 8 2 2
C) 7 D) 75 5 3
E )4 63 12 7 F ) 128 8 2
Adding and Subtracting Radicals
Simplify the expressions: Always simplify a radical first.
a. 2 3 2 4 3 b. 4 2 18
2 3 4 3 2 4 2 92
2 3 2 4 2 9 2
Treat the square roots as
variables, then combine like 4 2 3 2
terms ONLY.
7 2
Multiplication and Radicals
Simplify the expression:
7 10 4 15
Use the Commutative Property
to Rewrite the expression. 7 4 10 15
28 10 15
Simplify and use the Radical
Product Property Backwards.
28 150
If possible, simplify more.
28 25 6
Conclusion: Multiply the
numbers outside of the square 28 5 6
root, then multiply the numbers
inside of the square root. Then 140 6
simplify.
Distribution and Radicals
Rewrite the expression:
5 6 4 3 3 6 2 3
3√6 -2√3 Find the Sum.
2 3
fraction.
5 2 5
3
Radical Quotient Property
a a
b b
ONLY when a≥0 and b≥0
For Example:
64
16
64
16
8
4 2
Equal
64
16 4 2
The Square Root of a Fraction
Write the following as a radical (square root) in simplest
form:
3 3 3
4 4 2
Simplify.
Rationalizing a Denominator
The denominator of a fraction can not contain a radical. To
rationalize the denominator (rewriting a fraction so the
bottom is a rational number) multiply by the same
radical.
5 2 5 2 5 2
2
2 2 2 2
6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 2 3 2 3
53 35
2
5 3 3 5 3 15 5
WARNING
In general:
ab a b
For Example:
Not
9 16 25 5 Equal
9 16 3 4 7