Simplifying, Adding, and Subtracting Radicals

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

√a * √b = √(a * b).

To add radicals, they must have the same index and radicand. Combine the coefficients of like radicals.

Similar to addition, subtracting radicals requires them to have the same index and radicand. Combine the coefficients of like radicals.

√(a^2) = a, where a is non-negative.

√(x^2y) = x√y, where x is non-negative.

√(a^2 - b^2) cannot be simplified further without specific values for a and b.

√(18) = 3√2.

√(150) = 5√6.

Combine like radicals by adding or subtracting their coefficients.