Simplifying Square Roots

Front

What is a square root?

Back

A square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. For example, the square root of 9 is 3, because 3 x 3 = 9.

Front

How do you simplify the square root of a perfect square?

Back

To simplify the square root of a perfect square, find the number that, when squared, equals the original number. For example, √16 = 4 because 4 x 4 = 16.

Front

What is the square root of 25?

Back

5

Front

How do you simplify the square root of a non-perfect square?

Back

For non-perfect squares, you can express the square root in terms of its prime factors. For example, √18 can be simplified to √(9 x 2) = √9 x √2 = 3√2.

Front

What is the square root of 50 simplified?

Back

√50 = √(25 x 2) = √25 x √2 = 5√2.

Front

What does it mean to rationalize the denominator?

Back

Rationalizing the denominator means to eliminate any square roots or irrational numbers from the denominator of a fraction.

Front

How do you rationalize the denominator of 1/√3?

Back

Multiply the numerator and denominator by √3: (1/√3) x (√3/√3) = √3/3.

Front

What is the square root of 64?

Back

8

Front

What is the simplified form of √72?

Back

√72 = √(36 x 2) = √36 x √2 = 6√2.

Front

What is the square root of 81?

Back

9