P.2 Adding and Subtracting Radicals

A radical expression is an expression that includes a root, such as a square root, cube root, etc. For example, @@ ext{radical expression} = ext{ } oot{n}{x}@@.

The square root of 12 can be simplified to @@2 oot{2}{3}@@.

You can combine the terms if $$b$$ and $$c$$ are like radicals, resulting in @@a oot{n}{b+c}@@.

To add radicals, ensure they have the same index and radicand. If they do, combine the coefficients.

The result is @@-xy oot{2}{3x}@@.

The simplified form is @@5 oot{2}{3}@@.

You cannot combine them unless $$a = b$$ ; the expression remains @@ oot{2}{a} - oot{2}{b}@@.

The result is @@20 oot{2}{x}@@.

Like radicals are radicals that have the same index and radicand, such as @@ oot{2}{3} $$and$$ oot{2}{3}@@.

Identify if the radicals are like radicals; if they are not, they cannot be combined.