OPERATIONS

ON
RADICALS
 Like Radicals –
radicals with the
same radicand.
In other words, they must be exactly the
same underneath the radical sign
Square-root expressions with the same radicand are
examples of like radicals.

Combining like radicals is similar to combining

like terms.
Adding and Subtracting Square-Root Expressions

Add or subtract.
A.

The terms are like radicals.

B.

The terms are unlike radicals. Do

not combine.
Adding and Subtracting Square-Root Expressions

Add or subtract.
C.

The terms are like radicals.

D.
Simplify all radicals in an expression before
trying to identify like radicals.
(Sometimes radicals do not appear to be like until
they are simplified.)

Example 1: Simplify Before Adding or Subtracting

Simplify the expression.

Factor the radicands using perfect

squares.
Product Property of Square Roots.

Simplify.
Combine like radicals.
A quotient with a square root in the denominator is not
simplified. To simplify these expressions, multiply by a form of
1 to get a perfect-square radicand in the denominator. This is
called rationalizing the denominator.
Simplify the quotient.

Multiply by a form of 1 to get a perfect-

square radicand in the denominator.

Product Property of Square Roots.

Simplify the denominator.

 Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions
You can use the Product and Quotient Properties of square roots you have
already learned to multiply and divide expressions containing square roots.

Example: Multiply and

Simplify
Product Property of Square Roots.
Multiply the factors in the radicand.

Factor 16 using a perfect-square factor.

Product Property of Square Roots
Simplify.
 Example 1 : Using the Distributive Property

Multiply. Write the product in simplest form.

Distribute
Product Property of Square Roots.

Simplify the radicands.

Simplify.
Example 2 : Using the Distributive Property

Multiply. Write the product in simplest form.

 Solving Simple Radical Equations

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Square both sides.

x = 25
Check Substitute 25 for x in the original
5 equation.

5 5 Simplify.
Solving Radical Equations by Multiplying or Dividing

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Method 1

Multiply both sides by 2.

Square both sides.

144 = x