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 a square root?

Back

To simplify a square root, factor the number under the root into its prime factors, and then pair the factors. Each pair can be taken out of the square root as a single number.

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

What does it mean to factor a number?

Back

Factoring a number means breaking it down into its prime components. For example, 12 can be factored into 2 x 2 x 3.

Front

What is the prime factorization of 60?

Back

The prime factorization of 60 is 2 x 2 x 3 x 5.

Front

Back