SURDS

for WASSCE and UTME

Introduction
A number whose square root gives a whole number is called
a perfect square.
For example, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36 are perfect squares
because their square roots equal 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 respectively.
When the square root is not a whole number, we refer to it
as a surd
For example, 2, 3, 5, 6 are called surds
Laws of Surds
1. 𝑚𝑛 = 𝑚 × 𝑛
𝑚 𝑚
2. =
𝑛 𝑛

Recall from indices that

2 2 2
𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏
𝑎 + 𝑏 2 ≠ 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
Verify this yourself (put 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = 3)
Simplification of Surds
Surds can be simplified by
breaking the number into a product of two factors where one of
them is perfect square and then applying the laws of surds

Example: Simplify the following surds

1. 18
2. 48
Simplification of Surds
18 = 9 × 2 ( 6 × 3 won’t help us)
= 9× 2
=3 2

48 = 16 × 3
=4 3
Addition and Subtraction of Surds
Surds can be added or subtracted together if and only if they have
the same basic form.
For example, 3 2 + 5 2 = 8 2
but 2 3 + 3 2 = 2 3 + 3 2 In other words, they can’t be
added

Example: Simplify 18 + 50 − 72
9 × 2 + 25 × 2 − 36 × 2
3 2+5 2−6 2
2 2
Addition and Subtraction of Surds

Example: Simplify 75 − 48 + 27
5 3−4 3+3 3
4 3
Multiplication of Surds
Surds can be multiplied together by multiplying number for
number and surd for surd
Example: Simplify 2 3 × 4 5
(2 × 4) 3 × 5
8 15

Example: Expand 2 + 4 3 5 − 2 Recall (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑥 + 𝑦)

10 − 2 2 + 20 3 − 4 6
Division of Surds
4
Example: Simplify
2
It is not normal practice to have a surd as the denominator
of a fraction. To remove the surd, multiply by another surd
that would make the denominator a whole number
4 2 Mathematically, we have only just
× multiplied by 1 which is nothing new
2 2
4× 2 4 2
= =2 2
2× 2 2
Division of Surds
1
Example: Simplify
3− 2
Multiply by the conjugate of the denominator.
The conjugate of 3 − 2 is 3 + 2 Change the sign in the middle
to get the conjugate
1 3+ 2
×
3− 2 3+ 2
3+ 2
3+ 6− 6−2
3 + √2
3−2
3+ 2
 Worked Examples

If 𝑎 = 5 2 and 2𝑎 = 2𝑥, what is the value of 𝑥

2 × 5 2 = 2𝑥
10 2 = 2𝑥 take squares both sides
200 = 2𝑥
𝑥 = 100
 Worked Examples
3 1
Given that sin 60 = , sin 30 = , find the value of sin 60 +
2 2
sin 30
3 1
sin 60 + sin 30 = +
2 2
3+1
=
2
 Worked Examples
Rationalize the denominator
2 2−3
3− 2
2 2−3 3+ 2
×
3− 2 3+ 2
2 6+4−3 3−3 2
3−2
2 6+4−3 3−3 2