MATHEMATICS 9

RADICAL EXPRESSIONS
Radical - The √ symbol that is used to denote square root or nth
roots

Radical Expression - A radical expression is an expression

containing a square root.

Radicand - A number or expression inside the radical symbol.

Radical equation - An equation containing radical expressions

with variables in the radicands.
 REVIEW ON CHANGING RADICALS INTO
NUMBERS WITH FRACTIONAL EXPONENTS
AND VICE VERSA
 ADDITION and SUBTRACTION OF
RADICALS
There are two keys to combining
radicals by addition or subtraction: look
at the index, and look at the
radicand. If these are the same, then
addition and subtraction are possible. If
not, then you cannot combine the two
radicals.
EXAMPLES
HOW TO ADD OR SUBTRACT IF THEY DO NOT
HAVE THE SAME RADICAND?
 MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION OF
RADICALS
 To multiply two single-term radical expressions, multiply the
coefficients and multiply the radicands. If possible, simplify the result.
Apply the distributive property when multiplying radical expressions with
multiple terms. Then simplify and combine all like radicals.

 When dividing radical expressions, use the quotient rule. That's a

mathematical symbols way of saying that when the index is even there
can be no negative number in the radicand, but when the index is odd,
there can be. The index is as small as possible.
DIVIDING RADICALS
EXAMPLES
ACTIVITIES

 1. Answer Written Math #’s 11-20 on page 194 of your book

 2. Answer Written Math #’s 11-20 on page 200 of your book
 3. Answer Mental Math letters A and B on page 212 of your book
 4. Answer Written Math A #’s 21-25 on page 212-213 of your book
 5. Answer Written Math B #’s 36-40 on page 213 of your book