Unit 5
Surds
Content
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Learning Outcome
3.0 Learning Content
3.1 Rule of Surds
3.2 Basic Forms and Similar Surds
3.3 Conjugate Surds
3.4 Rationalizing the Denominator
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
7.0 References/Further Reading
1.0 Introduction
In the previous unit, you studied the inequality. The present unit is surd and
independent from the previous one you have studied so far. in this course you will
study addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of surds. We shall also study the
conjugate and rationalization of surds.
2.0 Learning Outcome
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
1. Reduce surds to it basic form;
2. Evaluate the problems of surds;
3. Rationalize and take the conjugate of surds.
3.0 Learning Content
3.1 Rule of Surds
1. √𝑎 × 𝑏= √𝑎 √𝑏
𝑎 √𝑎
2. √𝑏 =
√𝑏
Examples
1. √3 × 17= √3 √17
2. √5 √7= √5 × 7= √35
Note that √𝑎 √𝑏 √𝑎 + 𝑏
Self-Assessment Exercise(s)
√4×25×3
1. Solve
√9×4
3.2 Basic Forms and Similar Surds
If the rational number under the square root sign contains a factor which is a square
of a number, the surd can be reduced to a simpler form. Such a simpler form is called
its basic form.
These are surds which are multiples of the same surds.3√5,2√5,6√5and7√5 are
similar surds because each of the surds is a multiple of √5. Two similar surds can be
added together or subtracted from each other.
Examples
1. Simplify the following:
(a) √20+ √45+ √125-2√80
(b) 3√2- √32 + √50+ √98
Solution
(a) √20+ √45+ √125 -2√80
= 2√5+ 3√5+ 5√5- 8√5
= 10√5-8√5
= 2√5
(b) 3√2- √32 + √50 + √98
= 3√2- 4√2+ 5√2+ 7√2
= 15√2- 4√2
= 11√2
Self-Assessment Exercise 2
1. Look for factors of 45, one of which is a perfect square.
3.3 Conjugate Surds
Two surds are said to be conjugate of each other if their product gives rise to a rational
number. From our knowledge of difference of two square we know that
(𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
Similarly,
2 2
(√𝑎 + √𝑏)(√𝑎 − √𝑏) = (√𝑎) − (√𝑏) = 𝑎 − 𝑏
While √𝑎+√𝑏 and √𝑎-√𝑏 are not rational, their product a-b is rational. Hence, √𝑎+√𝑏
and √𝑎-√𝑏 are conjugate of each other.
Example:
(1) Write down the conjugate of each of the following:
(a) √3-√2 (b) 2√5 + 3√3
Solution:
(a) The conjugate of √3-√2 is √3+√2
(b) The conjugate of 2√5 + 3√3 is 2√5 − 3√3
(2) Simplify the following:
(a) (3√2 − 1)(3√2 + 1) (b) (7√2 + √3)(7√2 − √3)
Solution
2
(a) (3√2 − 1)(3√2 + 1) = (3√2) − 1 = 18 – 1 = 17
2 2
(b) (7√2 + √3)(7√2 − √3) = (7√2) − (√3) = 98 - 3 = 95
Self-Assessment Exercise 3
8−√18
1. Express in terms of a + b√2 where a and b are integers
√2
3.4 Rationalizing the Denominator
𝑎 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎√𝑏
= × =
√𝑏 √𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
Examples
5 3+√2
(1) Simplify (a) (b)
√2 √5+√3
Solution
5 5√2
(a) =
√2 2
3+√2 3+√2 √5−√3 (3+√2)(√5−√3)
(b) = × =
√5+√3 √5+√3 √5−√3 5−3
1
= (3√5 − 3√3 + √10 − √6)
2
Self-Assessment Exercise 4
3 5
1. Express − as a single function
√7 √2
4.0 Conclusion
In this unit you have studied how to reduce surds to it basic form and evaluate the
problems of surds. You also studied rationalization and how to take the conjugate of
surds.
5.0 Summary
You have studied:
√𝑎 × 𝑏 = √𝑎 √𝑏
𝑎 √𝑎
√𝑏 = √𝑏
√𝑎+√𝑏 and √𝑎-√𝑏 are conjugate of each other.
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
(1) Express each of the following in basic form:
(a) √200 (b) √162 (c) √648
(2) Simplify each of the following:
2
(a) (2√2 + 3√5) (b) (2√6 − 1)(√3 − √2)
7√2+3√3
(3) Express 4√2−2√3 in the form 𝑎 + 𝑏√𝑐 where a, b and c are rational numbers.
6 7 6
(4) Express √32 + as a single surd and hence find the value of (√32 + )
√2 √2 √2
7.0 References/Further Reading
Odili G. A. (2000), Algebra for Colleges and Universities: An Integrated Approach.
Anachuna Educational Books.
Akinnola V. J., Mohammed J., Aiyesimi Y. M., Akinwande N. I., and Ogunfiditimi E.
O.(2005), College Algebra and Trigonometry. Y- Books.
Tuttuh-Adegun, Sivasubramniam S., Adekoge R. (2003) Further Mathematics Project
2. NPS Educational.
Tuttuh-Adegun, Sivasubramniam S., Adekoge R. (2008) Further Mathematics Project
1. NPS Educational.