MCR – 3U Unit 1

Lesson 4 - Simplifying Radical Expressions

Goal – Simplify, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and rationalize radical expressions

The following properties are used to simplify radical expressions:

1. , ,

2. , ,

A radicand is the expression under the radical (square root) sign.

A radical is in simplest form when:

• The radicand has no perfect square factors other than 1.
• The radicand does not contain a fraction.
• No radical appears in the denominator of a fraction.

Simplifying Radical Expressions

Simplify the following radicals:

a) b) c) d)

Multiplying Radical Expressions

To multiply radical expressions, multiply the whole numbers and multiply the radicals.
Simplify the radical product where possible.

Multiply the following radicals:

a) b) c)
MCR – 3U Unit 1

Adding and Subtracting Radicals

To simplify radical expressions, express radicals in simplest radical form and add or
subtract like radicals.

Examples The radicand can be treated

like a variable. Add or
a)
subtract like radicands, just
as you would add or subtract
like terms.

b)

c)

d)
MCR – 3U Unit 1

Multiplying Binomial Radicals

To multiply any radical expression, use the distributive property and add or subtract
like radicals.

Examples
a)

b)

Simplifying Fractions with Radicals in the Denominator

To simplify a radical expression with a monomial radical in the denominator, multiply the
numerator and the denominator by this monomial radical.

To simplify a radical expression with a binomial radical in the denominator, multiply the
numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. The conjugate of
the binomial radical is .

Examples:
a)

b)