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Simplifying Square Roots and Fractions

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1) Radical expressions involving square roots can often be simplified by recognizing perfect squares that divide the number under the radical. 2) Operations like addition, subtraction, mult…

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  • Introduction to Radical Expressions
  • Understanding Radical Numbers
  • Radical Product Property
  • Perfect Squares
  • Steps to Simplifying Square Roots
  • Exercises in Simplifying Radicals
  • Adding and Subtracting Radicals
  • Multiplication and Radicals
  • Distribution and Radicals
  • Fractions and Radicals
  • Radical Quotient Property
  • Square Root of a Fraction
  • Rationalizing a Denominator
  • Common Misconceptions

Simplifying Square Root

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

The square of whole


numbers.
1 , 4 , 9 , 16 , 25 , 36 , 49 , 64 , 81 , 100 ,
121, 144 , 169 , 196 , 225, etc
Simplifying Square Roots
1. Check if the square root is a whole number
2. Find the biggest perfect square (4, 9, 16, 25,
36, 49, 64) that divides the number in the root
3. Rewrite the number in the root as a product
4. Simplify by taking the square root of the
perfect square and putting it outside the root
5. CHECK!
Note: A square root can not be simplified if there
is no perfect square that divides it. Just leave it
alone.
ex: √15 , √21, and √17
Simplifying Square Roots
Write the following as a radical (square root) in simplest
form:
Simplify.
36 is the biggest perfect square that divides 72.

72  36  2  36 2  6 2 Rewrite the square root as a product of roots.

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  92
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.

5√6 15√36 -10√18


90  30 2  36 2  24
90 -30√2
12√18 -8√9
4√3
36√2 -24 66  6 2
Combine like terms.
Remember: Multiply the numbers outside of
the square root, then multiply the numbers
inside of the square root. Then simplify.
Fractions and Radicals
Simplify the expressions:
5 7 4  12 15 180
a. 10
b. 2
c. 9
There is nothing to 4 4 3 15 36 5
simplify because the 2 9
square root is
simplified and every 4 2 3 15 6 5
term in the fraction 2 9
   
can not be divided by
10. 2 2 3 3 5 2 5
Make sure to
simplify the 2 33

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:

Take the square root of the numerator and the denominator

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.

Simplify the following expressions:

5 2 5 2 5 2
  
 
2
2 2 2 2

6 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 2 3 2 3
     
 
53 35
2
5 3 3 5 3 15 5
WARNING
In general:

ab  a b
For Example:
Not
9  16  25  5 Equal

9  16  3  4  7

Simplifying Square Root Expressions
Numbers with a Root Radical numbers are typically irrational numbers (unless they simplify to a rational number). Our cal
Radical Product Property ONLY when a≥0 and b≥0 For Example: a b ab  144  9 16  9 16   12  9 16  3 4  Equal 1
Perfect Squares The square of whole numbers. 1 , 4 , 9 , 16 , 25 , 36 , 49 , 64 , 81 , 100 , 121, 144 , 169 , 196
Simplifying Square Roots 1. Check if the square root is a whole number 2. Find the biggest perfect square (4, 9, 16, 25, 3
Simplifying Square Roots Write the following as a radical (square root) in simplest form: 6 2  36 2  72 36 2   3 3  9
Simplifying Square Roots Simplify these radicals: ) 16 ) 8 ) 7 ) 75 )4 63
Adding and Subtracting Radicals Simplify the expressions: 2 3 2   . 2 3 2 4 3 a   2 3 4 3 2   4 2 3 2  4 2 9 2  . 4
Multiplication and Radicals Simplify the expression: 28 10 15  7 10 4 15  Conclusion: Multiply the numbers outside of th
Distribution and Radicals Rewrite the expression: 66 6 2     5 6 4 3 3 6 2 3   Remember: Multiply the numbers outsid

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