Simplifying Square Roots

To simplify a square root: make the number inside the square root as small as possible (but
still a whole number):

Example: 8 is simpler as 22
Get your calculator and check if you want: they are both the same value!
The useful rule to remember is when a and b are not negative:

And this is how to use it:

Example (continued)
8 = (42) = 4 2 = 22
(Because the square root of 4 is 2)
Here is another example:

Example: simplify 12
12 is 4 times 3:

12 = (4 3)
Use the rule:

(4 3) = 4 3
And the square root of 4 is 2:

4 3 = 23

So 12 is simpler as 23
And here is how to simplify in one line:

Example: simplify 18
18 = (9 2) = 9 2 = 32
It often helps to factor the numbers (into prime numbers is best):

Example: simplify 6 15
First we can combine the two numbers:

6 15 = (6 15)
Then we factor them:

(6 15) = (2 3 3 5)
Then we see two 3s, and decide to "pull them out":

(2 3 3 5) = (3 3) (2 5) = 310

Fractions
There is a similar rule for fractions:

Example: simplify 30 / 10
First we can combine the two numbers:

30 / 10 = (30 / 10)
Then simplify:

(30 / 10) = 3

Some Harder Examples

Example: simplify (20 5) / 2
See if you can follow the steps:

(20 5)/2
((2 2 5) 5)/2
(2 2 5 5)/2
2 5 5
2 5
52
Example: simplify 212 + 93
First simplify 212:

212 = 2 23 = 43
Now both terms have 3, we can add them:

43 + 93 = (4+9)3 = 133