The simplest form of a radical expression is an
expression that has
a) NO perfect nth factors other than 1 in the
radicand.
b) NO prime factor of a radicand with an exponent
equal to or greater than the index.
c) NO fractions in the radicand.
d) NO radicals in the denominator of a fraction.
Simplifying Radicals:
1) Removing Perfect nth Powers
Break down the radicand into perfect and nonperfect
! ! !
nth powers and apply the property 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎$ 𝑏
ü Find the largest perfect nth factor. You need to
be familiar with a list of perfect nth powers.
Don't worry if you do not pick the LARGEST perfect square factor
to start. You can still get the correct answer, but you will have to
repeat the process.
Simplifying Radicals:
1) 48 = 16 # 3 = 4 3
2) 75 = 25 # 3=5 3
3) 40𝑥 ! 𝑦 " = 4 # 10 # 𝑥 ! # 𝑦 ! 𝑦 ! 𝑦
= 2xy2 10𝑦
Simplifying Radicals:
! ! ! !
4) 108 = 27 # 4 = 3 4
! ! ! !
5) −54 = −27 # 2 = −3 2
!
6) 24𝑎# 𝑏 = ! !
8# 3#
!
𝑎" # 𝑏
!
!
= 2a 3𝑏
Rationalizing the denominator of the radicand
- the process of removing the radical sign in the
denominator. You are creating a "rational" number
in the denominator instead of an "irrational"
number.
You need to create a perfect nth power under the
radical in the denominator by multiplying the top
and bottom of the fraction by the same value (this
is actually multiplying by "1").
Simplifying Radicals:
" "# ! $
1) !
=
!# !
=
!
% %# &' % &' &'
2) " &'
= " &'# &'
= " &'
= $
! ( ! ! !
(# * ! *
3) = ! ! =
" "# * "
Adding & Subtracting Radicals
📌 Only ‘similar (like)’ radicals can be added or subtracted.
• Must have the same root/index.
• Must have the same number inside (called ‘radicand’).
📌 Simplify all radicals before adding or subtracting.
📌 Only add or subtract the coefficients; leave the common
radical as is.
Adding & Subtracting
!"###$ % + !&
4 3
.
!"###$ % ! & 4!'5
.
! "+# " ! " !# "
! " !! !
Multiplying Radicals
• Outside numbers,
Ex. 5 2 + 6 3 8 − 4
multiply outside
numbers. 5 2#3 8 + 5 2 # −4 + 6 # 3 8 + 6 # −4
• Inside numbers,
multiply inside
numbers. 15 16 −20 2 18 8 −24
4.2
• Make sure all
answers are 60 −20 2 +36 2 −24
simplified.
16 2 + 36
Dividing Radicals
Recall that we cannot have a radical in the
denominator; when we do, we must
RATIONALIZE THE DENOMINATOR
To rationalize a denominator with a binomial, multiply both the
numerator & denominator by the CONJUGATE!
same numbers with opposite sign in the middle
( )
! + " #$%&# ( )
! ! " #$'(#)*%+,-$.(/
! " !# #
Dividing: $#%&&&
'! #
! " ! " " !+ "
!
#! " !+ "
!" # + !# ! $ # ! %
&!#
! + "# #
$
To Solve a Radical Equation:
In solving radical equations, one can square
both sides of the equation to clear the radicals.
Example:
𝒙+𝟏=𝟓
x + 1 = 25
x = 24
To Solve a Radical Equation:
Example:
𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟎
The first thing to do is to isolate the radical; in
this case, we add 10 to both sides.
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎
Now, we square both sides.
x = 100
To Solve a Radical Equation:
Example two:
𝟖 𝒙 − 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟔
To isolate the radical, we must first divide by 8.
𝒙−𝟑=𝟐
Now, we square both sides.
x-3 = 4
Finally, we isolate x.
x=7