Radical Operations

Front

What is a radical?

Back

A radical is a symbol used to indicate the root of a number, most commonly the square root.

Front

What does it mean to simplify a radical expression?

Back

To simplify a radical expression means to rewrite it in its simplest form, removing any perfect square factors.

Front

What is the square root of 16?

Back

4

Front

How do you simplify √(a*b)?

Back

√(a*b) = √a * √b, provided a and b are non-negative.

Front

What is the value of √(x^2)?

Back

|x| (the absolute value of x).

Front

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

Back

Multiply the numerator and denominator by √a to get √a/a.

Front

What is the simplified form of √(a^2)?

Back

a, assuming a is non-negative.

Front

What is the result of √(a^2 * b)?

Back

a√b, assuming a is non-negative.

Front

How do you combine like radical terms, such as 2√3 + 3√3?

Back

You add the coefficients: (2 + 3)√3 = 5√3.

Front

What is the simplified form of √(50)?

Back

5√2, since 50 = 25 * 2 and √25 = 5.