MODULE 5

ALGEBRA &
TRIGONOMETRY

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 MODULE 5
RADICAL EXPRESSION

Name

Learning Objectives:

In this module the students should be able to:

a. define radicals and illustrate its properties,

b. relate power with rational exponents to radical form; and

c. simplify radicals by removing of perfect powers, reducing

the given index, and rationalizing the denominator.

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Radical Expression

In mathematics, a radical expression is defined as an algebraic

expression containing a radical symbol( ). A radical represents a
fractional exponent in which the numerator of the fractional
exponent is the power of the base and the denominator is the
index of a radical.

Components of Radical

A radical expression is composed of three parts, a radical

sign ( ), a radicand and an index.

Radical sign - the symbol or indicating extraction of root of the

quantity that follows it

Radicand – the quantity under a radical sign

Index – the index of a radicand is a number which indicate

which root is desired of the number under the
radical. (If there is no number written, then it is
understood that the index is 2)

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Theorem: If is a rational number with positive integer a,
then

( )
Examples:

Transform each expression to radical form.

1.)

Solution:

The numerator (3) of the fractional

( ) exponent is the power of the base
(a) and the denominator (2) is the
index of a radical.

2.)

Solution: (apply the quotient rule of the law of exponent)

( )

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3.)

Solution:
Apply the product rule of exponent

Copy the base and add the exponent

( )
=

or ( )

4.) ( ) 10.) ( )

5.) √ 11.) √

6.) 12.) ( )
( )
7.)
13.)
8.)

9.) ( )
( )

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Rewriting Radical Expression to its equivalent
expression using Rational Exponent
A rational exponent is an exponent that is a fraction. Any radical in the

form can be written using a rational exponent in the form .

Illustrative Example:
Write each expression with rational exponent.
1.) 2.)

3.)

4.)

5.) 6.)

7.) √ 8.) √( ) ( )

9.) √ ( ) ( )

10.) √ 11.)

12.) √ ( ) 13.)

14.) 15.) ( )

16.) √ ( )

17.) ( )

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Properties of Radical

A.) ( )

Illustrative Examples:

1.)

2.) ( √ )

3.)

4.) √( )

5.)

6.) ( )

7.)

8.)

9.) √( )

10.) √ √( )

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B.) ,
Illustrative Examples:

1.)

Solution:

18 has a perfect square factor (9), and

2.)

3.)

4.) √ √ √ √

5.)

6.) √ √ √ √

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C.) √

Illustrative Examples:

1.) √
√

√( )
2.) √
√( )

3.) √
√

4.) √

5.) √

6.) √

7.) √

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D.) √ √

Illustrative Examples:

1.) √

2.) √

3.) √

4.) √ √

5.) √ √√ √

6.) √

7.) √ √ √

8.) √

9.) √

10.) √

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Simplifying Radicals
A radical expression is said to be in its simplest form if
it satisfies the following:

1. No factors which are perfect nth powers under a radical

whose index is n.
2. No factor in the radicand has an exponent greater than or
equal to the index of a radical.
3. No fractions under the radical sign, and
4. No radical in the denominator.

Three ways to Simplify Radicals

1.) Removing Perfect nth powers

Break down the radicand into perfect and nonperfect nth powers
and apply the property

Examples:

1.) √ √ √

√ √ √

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2.) √ √

√ √

3.)

Solution:

4.)

Solution:

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2.) Reducing the index to the lowest order:

Reducing the index is done by applying the property

√ , or expressing the radical radical into its
exponential form and simplifying the fractional exponent.

Examples:

1.) √

2.) √ √ √√ √

3.) √ √ √√ √

4.) √ √

√√

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3.) Rationalizing the Denominator

Rationalizing the denominator is a process of removing all

radicals from the denominator.

Example:

1.)

Solution:

2.)

Solution:

√( ) √( )
√( ) √( )

3.) Rationalize the denominator of

Solution: the conjugate of the denominator is . Multiplication by
will rationalize the denominator

( )( )
( )( )

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4.)

Solution:

( )
( )( )

5.)

Solution:

( )( )
( )( )

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