GRADE 8 & O LEVEL MATHEMATICS

TEST 1
COMPLETE WORKED-SOLUTIONS LECTURE
Square, Cube and Higher Numerical Roots

Purpose of this new edition

This lecture has been rebuilt from a blank LaTeX source. Every question is numerical: students do not
need algebraic formula manipulation. The working in every solution follows the same visible chain:

prime factors −→ grouped power −→ separated root −→ exponent 𝑚/𝑛 −→ answer .

Question Topic Marks

1 Exact numerical values and meaning of roots 20
2 Simplification of square and cube roots 24
3 Addition and subtraction of roots 20
4 Multiplication and division of roots 20
5 Mixed numerical manipulation and rationalisation 16
Total 100

The compulsory denominator-of-powers step

If the root index is 𝑛 and the power inside is 𝑚, then
√︁𝑛
𝑝 𝑚 = 𝑝 𝑚/𝑛 .

For example, √︁ √︁3 √︁4

72 = 72/2 = 7, 23 = 23/3 = 2, 34 = 34/4 = 3.
The coloured power line will be shown before the answer throughout the lecture.

Factor first; show the exponent denominator; answer last.

Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Core Method: Follow Every Line

√
Model 1: simplify 12
√ √
12 = 2 · 2 · 3 prime factors
√︁
= 22 · 3 group the pair
√︁ √
= 22 3 separate the complete square
√
= 22/2 3 index 2 becomes denominator 2
√
= 2 3.
√ √
Therefore 12 = 2 3 .
√
Check: (2 3) 2 = 4 × 3 = 12.
√3
Model 2: simplify 16
√3 √3
16 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 prime factors
√︁3
= 23 · 2 group three equal factors
√︁3 √3
= 23 2 separate the complete cube
√3
= 23/3 2 index 3 becomes denominator 3
√3
= 2 2.
√3 √3
Therefore 16 = 2 2 .
√3
Check: (2 2) 3 = 8 × 2 = 16.
√
Model 3: simplify 98 exactly as in the reference
√ √
98 = 2 · 7 · 7
√︁
= 2 · 72
√ √︁
= 2 72
√
= 2 72/2
√
= 2·7
√
= 7 2.
√ √
Therefore 98 = 7 2 .

Three rules that prevent the usual errors

1. Group pairs for square roots, triples for cube roots, groups of four for fourth roots, and so on.
2. Only a complete group can leave the root. An ungrouped factor stays inside.
√ √ √
3. Do not split addition or subtraction inside a root. For example, 9 + 3 ≠ 9 + 3.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Question 1: Exact Numerical Values and Meaning 20 marks

How to read Question 1
Each part is worth one mark. In every worked answer, the purple expression is the required
index-as-denominator step. Purple line: the root index has become the denominator of the exponent.

√ √4
1(a) Evaluate 144 1(e) Evaluate 81
√ √︁
Since 81 = 34 ,
144 = 24 · 32
√︁ √︁ √4 √︁4
= 24 32 81 = 34 = 34/4 = 3 .
= 24/2 · 32/2
√5
= 12 . 1(f) Evaluate −32

Check: 122 = 144. Since −32 = (−2) 5 ,

√5 √︁5
−32 = (−2) 5 = (−2) 5/5 = −2 .
√
1(b) Evaluate 0.81 √︃
49
√
√︂ 1(g) Evaluate 121
81
0.81 = √
100 √︂
√ 49 72
92 =√
=√ 121 112
102 72/2
92/2 = 2/2
= 2/2 11
10 7
9 = .
= = 0.9 . 11
10
√︃
3 −8
√3 1(h) Evaluate 125
1(c) Evaluate 216 √︂ √︁3
√3 √︁3 3 −8 (−2) 3
216 = 23 · 33 = √3
√︁3 √︁3 125 53
= 23 33 (−2) 3/3
=
= 23/3 · 33/3 53/3
= 6. 2
= − .
5
Check: 63 = 216.
√
1(i) Evaluate 196
√3
1(d) Evaluate −343 Since 196 = 142 ,
Because −343 = (−7) 3 , √ √︁
196 = 142 = 142/2 = 14 .
√3 √︁3
−343 = (−7) 3 √
3/3 1(j) Evaluate 400
= (−7)
= −7 . Since 400 = 202 ,
√ √︁
An odd root keeps the negative sign. 400 = 202 = 202/2 = 20 .

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

√3 √3
1(k) Evaluate 1000 1(p) Evaluate 0
Since 1000 = 103 , √3 √︁3
0 = 03 = 03/3 = 0 .
√3 √︁3
1000 = 103 = 103/3 = 10 . √
1(q) Principal value of 169
√4
1(l) Evaluate 625 √ √︁
169 = 132 = 132/2 = 13 .
Since 625 = 54 ,
The radical sign selects the non-negative root,
√4 √︁4 not ±13.
625 = 54 = 54/4 = 5 .
√ √
1(m) Evaluate 2.25 1(r) Is −36 real?
√
−36 = (−36) 1/2 .
√︂
√ 225
2.25 =
100 The exponent denominator is even. No real
√
152 number has square −36.
=√
102
No real value .
152/2
= 2/2
10 √3
= 1.5 . 1(s) Evaluate −64
√3 √︁3
√3 −64 = (−4) 3
1(n) Evaluate 0.008
√︂ = (−4) 3/3
√3 3 8 = −4 .
0.008 =
1000
√3 The value is negative.
23
= √3
103 1(t) Numbers whose square is 81
23/3
= 3/3 The principal root is
10
= 0.2 . √ √︁
81 = 92 = 92/2 = 9.
√
1(o) Evaluate 1 But 92 = 81 and (−9) 2 = 81. Hence
√ √︁
1 = 12 = 12/2 = 1 . 9 and − 9 .

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Question 2: Simplifying Square and Cube Roots 24 marks

Required method for Question 2
Prime factorise, group a complete power, separate it, show the purple 𝑚/𝑛 line, and answer. Each part
is worth three marks.
√
2(a) Simplify 12
√ √
12 = 2 · 2 · 3
√︁
= 22 · 3
√︁ √
= 22 3
√
= 22/2 3
√
= 2 3.
√ √
Therefore 12 = 2 3 .
√
Check: (2 3) 2 = 12.
√
2(b) Simplify 18
√ √
18 = 2 · 3 · 3
√︁
= 2 · 32
√ √︁
= 2 32
√
= 2 32/2
√
= 3 2.
√ √
Therefore 18 = 3 2 .
√
Check: (3 2) 2 = 18.
√
2(c) Simplify 45
√ √
45 = 3 · 3 · 5
√︁
= 32 · 5
√︁ √
= 32 5
√
= 32/2 5
√
= 3 5.
√ √
Therefore 45 = 3 5 .
√
Check: (3 5) 2 = 45.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

√
2(d) Simplify 72
√ √
72 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 3 · 3
√︁
= 22 · 32 · 2
√︁ √︁ √
= 22 32 2
√
= 22/2 · 32/2 2
√
= 6 2.
√ √
Therefore 72 = 6 2 .
√
Check: (6 2) 2 = 72.
√
2(e) Simplify 98
√ √
98 = 2 · 7 · 7
√︁
= 2 · 72
√ √︁
= 2 72
√
= 2 72/2
√
= 2·7
√
= 7 2.
√ √
Therefore 98 = 7 2 .
√
Check: (7 2) 2 = 98.
√
2(f) Simplify 180
√ √
180 = 2 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 5
√︁
= 22 · 32 · 5
√︁ √︁ √
= 22 32 5
√
= 22/2 · 32/2 5
√
= 6 5.
√ √
Therefore 180 = 6 5 .
√
Check: (6 5) 2 = 180.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

√3
2(g) Simplify 54
√3 √3
54 = 2 · 3 · 3 · 3
√︁3
= 33 · 2
√︁3 √3
= 33 2
√3
= 33/3 2
√3
= 3 2.
√3 √3
Therefore 54 = 3 2 .
√3
Check: (3 2) 3 = 54.
√3
2(h) Simplify 250
√3 √3
250 = 2 · 5 · 5 · 5
√︁3
= 53 · 2
√︁3 √3
= 53 2
√3
= 53/3 2
√3
= 5 2.
√3 √3
Therefore 250 = 5 2 .
√3
Check: (5 2) 3 = 250.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Question 3: Addition and Subtraction of Roots 20 marks

Addition and subtraction rule
Simplify each root through the purple exponent-denominator line. Only then add or subtract coefficients
of like roots. Each part is worth four marks.
√ √
3(a) Simplify 2 8 + 3 18
First simplify each root:
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
22 · 2 = 22 2 = 22/2 2 = 2 2,
8=
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
18 = 3 · 2 = 32 2 = 32/2 2 = 3 2.
2

Now collect like roots: √ √ √ √

2 8 + 3 18 = 2(2 2) + 3(3 2)
√ √
=4 2+9 2
√
= 13 2 .

√ √
3(b) Simplify 5 12 − 75
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
12 = 22 · 3 = 22 3 = 22/2 3 = 2 3,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
75 = 52 · 3 = 52 3 = 52/2 3 = 5 3.
Therefore √ √ √ √
5 12 − 75 = 5(2 3) − 5 3
√ √
= 10 3 − 5 3
√
= 5 3.

√ √ √
3(c) Simplify 50 + 8 − 18
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
50 = 52 · 2 = 52 2 = 52/2 2 = 5 2,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
8 = 22 · 2 = 22 2 = 22/2 2 = 2 2,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
18 = 3 · 2 = 32 2 = 32/2 2 = 3 2.
2

Hence √ √ √ √ √
50 + 8 − 18 = (5 + 2 − 3) 2 = 4 2 .

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

√ √ √
3(d) Simplify 3 27 − 2 12 + 3
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
27 =32 · 3 = 32 3 = 32/2 3 = 3 3,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
12 = 22 · 3 = 22 3 = 22/2 3 = 2 3.
Therefore √ √ √ √ √ √
3 27 − 2 12 + 3 = 9 3 − 4 3 + 3
√
= 6 3.

√3 √3
3(e) Simplify 4 16 − 54
√3 √︁3 √︁3 √3 √3 √3
16 = 23 · 2 = 23 2 = 23/3 2 = 2 2,
√3 √︁3 √︁3 √3 √3 √3
54 = 33 · 2 = 33 2 = 33/3 2 = 3 2.
Thus √3 √3 √3 √3
4 16 − 54 = 8 2 − 3 2
√3
= 5 2.

Do not combine roots too early

√ √ √ √
2 8 + 3 18 is not 5 26. Simplify the two roots separately; they then become like terms in 2.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Question 4: Multiplication and Division of Roots 20 marks

Multiplication and division rule
Combine roots of the same index, factor the new number, isolate a complete power, and show the
purple 𝑚/𝑛 step. Each part is worth four marks.
√ √
4(a) Simplify 12 × 3
√ √ √
12 × 3 = 12 × 3
√
= 36
√︁
= 62
= 62/2
= 6.

Check: 62 = 36 = 12 × 3.
√ √
4(b) Simplify 14 × 21
√ √ √
14 × 21 = 14 × 21
√
= 294
√︁
= 2 · 3 · 72
√ √︁
= 6 72
√
= 6 72/2
√
= 7 6.

√ √
4(c) Simplify (3 5)(2 15)
√ √ √
(3 5)(2 15) = (3 × 2) 5 × 15
√
= 6 75
√︁
= 6 52 · 3
√︁ √
= 6 52 3
√
= 6 · 52/2 3
√
= 30 3 .

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

√
72
4(d) Simplify √
2
√ √︂
72 72
√ =
2 2
√
= 36
√︁
= 62
= 62/2
= 6.

√
6 15
4(e) Simplify √
3 5
√ √︂
6 15 6 15
√ =
3 5 3 5
√
=2 3
= 2 · 31/2
√
= 2 3.
The last answer is written in radical form because that is the required exact form.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Question 5: Mixed Numerical Manipulation 16 marks

√ √ √
5(a) Simplify 2 50 − 3 8 + 18
First simplify every root through the power step:
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
50 = 52 · 2 = 52 2 = 52/2 2 = 5 2,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
8 = 22 · 2 = 22 2 = 22/2 2 = 2 2,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
18 = 32 · 2 = 32 2 = 32/2 2 = 3 2.

Now collect: √ √ √ √ √ √
2 50 − 3 8 + 18 = 10 2 − 6 2 + 3 2
√
= 7 2.

√ √
5(b) Calculate exactly 12 × 27
√ √ √
12 × 27 = 12 × 27
√
= 324
√︁
= 182
= 182/2
= 18 .

Check: 182 = 324 = 12 × 27.

√ √
4 27 − 48
5(c) Simplify √
3
Simplify the numerator roots:
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
27 =32 · 3 = 32 3 = 32/2 3 = 3 3,
√ √︁ √︁ √ √ √
48 = 2 · 3 = 24 3 = 24/2 3 = 4 3.
4

Then √ √ √ √
4 27 − 48 4(3 3) − 4 3
√ = √
3 3
√
8 3
= √
3
8 · 31/2
= 1/2
3
= 8.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

5
5(d) Rationalise √
3
First convert the root index into the exponent denominator:
√
3 = 31/2 .

Multiply by 31/2 /31/2 = 1:

5 5 31/2
√ = 1/2 × 1/2
3 3 3
5 · 31/2
= 1/2+1/2
3
5 · 31/2
= 2/2
3
√
5 3
= .
3
The denominator is now the rational number 3.

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Grade 8 & O Level Mathematics Test 1 Worked Lecture Numerical Roots

Final Revision Sheet

The five-line method
1. Prime factorise the number inside the root.
2. Form the largest complete power: a square, cube, fourth power, and so on.
3. Separate the complete-power root from every leftover factor.
√
4. Show 𝑛 𝑝 𝑚 = 𝑝 𝑚/𝑛 ; the index becomes the denominator.
5. Simplify and state the exact final answer.

Operation Required first work Final check

Simplify factor, group, separate, show 𝑚/𝑛 no complete power remains inside
Add/subtract simplify each root fully combine only like roots
Multiply combine roots and factor the product simplify the new root
Divide combine roots as a quotient simplify the denominator
Rationalise use the fractional-power form no root remains below the line

Errors to avoid
• Skipping the 𝑚/𝑛 power line. • Combining roots before simplifying.
√
• Writing 81 = ±9. • Combining unlike roots.
• Losing a negative sign in an odd root. • Forgetting outside coefficients.
• Taking a real even root of a negative number. • Cancelling across addition or subtraction.
• Moving an incomplete group outside. • Leaving a root in the denominator.

Completion record
All 42 numerical parts have been solved:

20 + 24 + 20 + 20 + 16 = 100 marks .

Student reviewed: Yes / No Corrections completed: Yes / No

Teacher signature: Date:

Remember: the root index becomes the exponent denominator.

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