Adding/ Subtracting Radical

A radical is an expression that includes a root, such as a square root (√) or cube root (∛).

You can add or subtract radicals only if they have the same index and radicand (the number under the root). For example, √2 + √2 = 2√2, but √2 + √3 cannot be simplified.

The index of a radical indicates the degree of the root. For example, in √x, the index is 2 (square root), and in ∛x, the index is 3 (cube root).

Yes, you can add them because they have the same radicand. 12√5 + 4√5 = 16√5.

Yes, you can add them because they have the same radicand. 2√3 + 4√3 = 6√3.

No, you cannot add or subtract them because they have different radicands.

Yes, you can add them because they have the same radicand. 2√9 + 4√9 = 6√9 = 18.

Like radicals are radicals that have the same index and radicand, allowing them to be combined through addition or subtraction.

Unlike radicals are radicals that have different radicands or indices, and they cannot be combined.

The simplified form of √(a^2) is |a|, which represents the absolute value of a.