Common Core Math II Simplifying Radicals Name: ________________________

SIMPLIFYING R!ICL "#PR"SSI$NS

25 , read the square root of 25, means one of the two positive equal factors of 25.
5 5 5 25 = = ; 6 6 6 36 = = ; 10 10 100
2
= = ; !"
2
= =
a a a a = =
2
;
3 3 3 6
a a a a = = ;
# # # 16
m m m m = = ;
5 10
y y =
a is called a radical, a is called the radicand%
General R&les for Radicals:
Simplifying M&ltiplication !i'ision In'erses dding
General
R&le
y x xy = xy y x =
y
x
y
x
=
x x x = =
2 2
$ %
x b a x b x a $ % + = +
"(ample
2 " 1# = 10 5 2 =
2
#
2
#
=
15" $ 15" % 15"
2 2
= =
3 6 3 ! 3 2 = +
Simplifying S)&are Roots&
Sometimes it is convenient to leave square roots in radical form instead of using a calculator to find
approximations (decimal values). Look for perfect squares (i.e., 4, 9, !, "#, $!, 49, ...) as factors of t%e number
t%at is inside t%e radical sign (radicand) and take t%e square root of any perfect square factor. &ultiply t%e root
of t%e perfect square times t%e reduced radical. '%en t%ere is an existing value t%at multiplies t%e radical,
multiply any root(s) times t%at value.
Rationali*ing the !enominator:

+Rationali*ing the denominator+ is when 'ou move a root %li(e a square
root or cu)e root$ from the )ottom of a fraction to the top.
*hen the denominator contains an irrational monomial %sin+le term$, follow the e,ample )elow&