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Simplifying Square Roots Examples: B A Ab

The document provides examples for simplifying square roots using the product property of square roots and prime factorization. It explains that the square root of a positive integer is in simplest form if the radicand has no perfect square factors other than one. Examples are provided for simplifying square roots of integers, variables, and expressions containing variables. Absolute value symbols are used when necessary to ensure nonnegative results, such as when the variable has an even exponent and the exponent of its square root is odd.

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Sikh Patel

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

104 views10 pages

Simplifying Square Roots Examples: B A Ab

Uploaded by

Sikh Patel

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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SIMPLIFYING SQUARE ROOTS EXAMPLES

1. Definition of a “simplified form” for a square root ÎThe square root of a

positive integer is in “simplest form” if the “radicand” has no perfect square
factor other than one.

2. Have students analyze the following to see if it is true or false: (ALL ARE
TRUE.)

40 = 4 • 10 = 4 • 10 = 2 10 Product
Property of
Square Roots
3.
For any numbers “a” and “b,” where
a ≥ 0 and b ≥ 0, ab = a • b .

4. Example: Simplify Î 72

The Product Property of Square Roots and prime factorization can be used to
simplify radical expressions in which the radicand is not a perfect square.
72
2 • 2• 2•3•3 Prime factorization
2 • 2 2 • 32
Product Property 2 •2•3
6 2

5. Example: Simplify Î 150

The Product Property of Square Roots and prime factorization can be used to
simplify radical expressions in which the radicand is not a perfect square.
150
2•3•5•5 Prime factorization
2 • 3 • 52
Product Property 2•3 •5
5 6

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
6. When finding the positive square root of an expression containing variables, you
must be sure that the result is not negative. Consider that 52 = 25 and (-5)2 = 25.
When you find 25 , however, you want only the “principal square root.”
Therefore, “absolute values” are used as needed to ensure “nonnegative” results.

x2 = x x3 = x x x4 = x2 x 6 = x3

7. Point out that to “simplify” a square root with a variable, “absolute value”
symbols are necessary when the variable has an “even” exponent and the
exponent of its square root is “odd.” For example in x 4 = x2, since “x” is
squared in the answer, it will automatically be positive. In x 6 = x3, in order to
guarantee that x3 is positive, x 3 is necessary.

8. Example: Simplify Î 81y 2

The Product Property of Square Roots and prime factorization can be used to
simplify radical expressions in which the radicand is not a perfect square.
81y 2
Prime factorization
92 • y2
Product Property 92 • y 2
9y

9. Example: Simplify Î 200a 4b3

The Product Property of Square Roots and prime factorization can be used to
simplify radical expressions in which the radicand is not a perfect square.
200a 4b3
2•2•2•5•5•a •a •a •a •b•b•b
2 • 2 • 5 • a2 • b • b
Product Property 10a 2b 2b Prime factorization

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
10. Example: Simplify Î 10 • 20

10 • 20
10 • 20
10 • 10 • 2
10 2

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
Name:______________
Date:_________
Class:______________

SIMPLIFYING SQUARE ROOTS WORKSHEET

Simplify. Use absolute value symbols when necessary.

1. 8

2. 12

3. 20

4. 24

5. m2

6. y6

7. x5

8. 8a 3

9. 9a 4

10. 4• 9

11. 8• 3

12. 5 • 10

13. 11 • 11

14. 80a 2b3

15. 4 5 • 3 15

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
SIMPLIFYING SQUARE ROOTS WORKSHEET KEY

Simplify. Use absolute value symbols when necessary.

1. 8

2•2•2
22 • 2
2 2

2. 12

2•2•3
22 • 3
2 3

3. 20

2•2•5
22 • 5
2 5

4. 24

2•2•2•3
23 • 3
2 2•3
2 6

5. m2

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
6. y6

7. x5

x4 • x
x2 x

8. 8a 3

22 • 2 • a 2 • a
2a 2a

9. 9a 4

32 • a 4
3a2

10. 4• 9
2• 3
6

11. 8• 3

8•3
22 • 2 • 3
2 6

12. 5 • 10

5 • 10
50
52 • 2
5 2

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
13. 11 • 11

112
11

14. 80a 2b3

2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 5 • a2 • b2 • b
24 • 5 • a 2 • b2 • b
4 a b 5b

15. 4 5 • 3 15

4 • 3 • 5 • 15
12 • 75
12 • 5 2 • 3
12 • 5 3
60 3

Johnny Wolfe Jay High School Santa Rosa County Florida August 11, 2001
Student Name: __________________

Date: ______________