Simplifying Radicals

Front

What is a radical in mathematics?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean to simplify a radical?

Back

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

Front

Simplify √72.

Back

6√2

Front

Simplify √48.

Back

4√3

Front

Simplify √200.

Back

10√2

Front

In simplest radical form, what is √75?

Back

5√3

Front

Simplify √45.

Back

3√5

Front

What is the square root of a perfect square?

Back

The square root of a perfect square is a whole number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the perfect square.

Front

What is the prime factorization of 72?

Back

2^3 × 3^2.

Front

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

Back

You can simplify it by finding the prime factorization and extracting the square roots of the perfect square factors.