Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12:
RADICALS
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Simplify radical expressions
 Rationalize denominators (monomial and binomial) of radical expressions
 Add, subtract, and multiply radical expressions with and without variables
 Solve equations containing radicals

Contents
CHAPTER 12: RADICALS
............................................................................................................................ 317
SECTION 12.1 INTRODUCTION TO RADICALS ......................................................................................
319
A.INTRODUCTION TO PERFECT SQUARES AND PRINCIPAL SQUARE ROOT ............................... 319
B.INTRODUCTION TO RADICALS .................................................................................................
320
C.SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH PERFECT PRINCIPAL 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ ROOT .................................................... 322
D.SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH PERFECT PRINCIPAL 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ ROOT USING EXPONENT RULE ............ 323
E.SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH NO PERFECT ROOT ........................................................................
325
F.SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH COEFFICIENTS ................................................................................
326
G.SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH VARIABLES WITH NO PERFECT RADICANTS ................................. 327
EXERCISE
........................................................................................................................................... 328
SECTION 12.2: ADD AND SUBTRACT RADICALS
................................................................................... 329
A.ADD AND SUBTRACT LIKE RADICALS .......................................................................................
329
B.SIMPLIFY, THEN ADD AND SUBTRACT LIKE RADICALS
............................................................ 330 EXERCISE
........................................................................................................................................... 331
SECTION 12.3: MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE RADICALS ...............................................................................
332
A.MULTIPLY RADICALS WITH MONOMIALS................................................................................
332
B.DISTRIBUTE WITH RADICALS
.................................................................................................... 334
C.MULTIPLY RADICALS USING FOIL.............................................................................................
335
D.MULTIPLY RADICALS WITH SPECIAL-PRODUCT FORMULAS ...................................................317
336
E.SIMPLIFY QUOTIENTS WITH RADICALS....................................................................................
 Chapter 12
A.RADICAL EQUATIONS WITH SQUARE ROOTS .......................................................................... 346
B.RADICAL EQUATIONS WITH TWO SQUARE ROOTS ................................................................. 348
C.RADICAL EQUATIONS WITH HIGHER ROOTS ...........................................................................
351
EXERCISE
........................................................................................................................................... 352
CHAPTER REVIEW
................................................................................................................................. 353

318
 Chapter 12

SECTION 12.1 INTRODUCTION TO RADICALS

A. INTRODUCTION TO PERFECT SQUARES AND PRINCIPAL
SQUARE ROOT
MEDIA LESSON
Introduction to square roots (Duration 7:03 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Some numbers are called . It is important that we can recognize

when working with square roots.
12 = 1 ⋅ 1 = 62 = 6 ⋅ 6 =

22 = 2 ⋅ 2 = 72 = 7 ⋅ 7 =

32 = 3 ⋅ 3 = 82 = 8 ⋅ 8 =

42 = 4 ⋅ 4 = 92 = 9 ⋅ 9 =
To determine the square root of a number, we have a special symbol.
52 = 5 ⋅ 5 = √910 = 10 ⋅ 10 =
2

The square root of a number is the number times itself that equals the given number.

√9 =

√36 =

√49 =

√81 =

You can think of the square root as the opposite or inverse of squaring.
Actually, numbers have two square roots. One is positive and one is negative.
5 ⋅ 5 = 25 and −5 ∙ −5 = 25
To avoid confusion

√25 = 5 and −√25 = −5

What about these square roots?

√20

√61

319
 Chapter 12
YOU TRY

a) Find the perfect square of: b) Find the square root of:
112 = √441 =
122 = √484 =
132 = √529 =
142 =
√576 =
15 =
2

162 = √625 =
172 = √676 =
182 =
√729 =

192 = √784 =
202 = √841 =
√900 =

MEDIA LESSON
Principal
 Note: In this class,nwesquare
th
roots
will only vs. general
consider square roots
the principal (Duration
𝑛 𝑡ℎroots when 5:23
we)discuss radicals.

B. INTRODUCTION TO RADICALS
Radicals are a common concept in algebra. In fact, we think of radicals as reversing the operation of an
exponent. Hence, instead of the “square” of a number, we “square root” a number; instead of the
“cube”
of a number, we “cube root” a number to reverse the square to find the base. Square roots are the most
common type of radical used in algebra.
Definition

If 𝑎 is a positive real number, then the principal square root of a number 𝑎 is defined as

√ 𝑎 = 𝑏 if and only if 𝑎 = 𝑏𝟐
The √ is the radical symbol, and 𝑎 is called the radicand.
𝟑 𝟑
If given something like √𝑎 , then 3 is called the root or index; hence, √ 𝑎 is called the cube root or
third root of 𝑎 . In general,
𝑛
√ 𝑎 = 𝑏 if and only if 𝑎 = 𝑏 𝑛
If 𝑛 is even, then 𝑎 and 𝑏 must be greater than or equal to zero. If 𝑛 is odd, then 𝑎 and 𝑏 must
be any real number.

Here are some examples of principal square roots:

√1 = 1 √121 = 11
√4 = 2 √625 = 25
√9 = 3 √−81 is not a real number
The final example √−81 is not a real number. Since square root has the index is 2, which is even, the radicand must be
greater than or equal to zero and since −81 < 0, then there is no real number in which we can square
and will result in −81,i.e., ?2 = −81. So, for now, when we obtain a radicand that is negative and the
root is even, we say that this number is not a real number. There is a type of number where we can
evaluate these numbers, but just not a real one.
320
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Introduction to square roots, cube roots, and Nth roots (Duration 9:09)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

The principal 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ root of 𝑎 is the 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ root that has the same sign as 𝑎, and it is denoted by the
radical symbol.
𝑛
√𝑎
We read this as the “ ”, “ ”, or “ ”.
The positive integer of the radical. If 𝑛 = 2, the index. The number .

√4 = −√4 =
4
16 =
√ − 4 16 =
Square roots (n = 2) √
√1 = −√1 =

√4 = −√4 =

√9 = −√9 =

√16 = −√16 =

√25 = −√25 =

Cube roots (n = 3)
3 3
1= −1 =
√
3
√
3
8= −8 =
√
3
√
3
27 = −27 =
√
3
√
3
64 = −64 =
√
3
√
3
125 = −125 =
√
√
Example: Simplify

1) √36 = 2) −√81 =

3) �4 = 4)
3
√
64 =
9

5) 5 32 = 6) − 3 −8 =
√ √

321
 Chapter 12

Inverse properties of 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ Powers and 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ Roots

If 𝑎 has a principal 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ root, then .

If 𝑛 is odd, then .

If 𝑛 is even, then .

We need the for any 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ root with an

exponent for which the index is to assure the 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ root is .

Example: Simplify
3
1) √𝑥 2 2)
√𝑥 9

4 4
3) √𝑥 8 4)
�𝑦12

C. SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH PERFECT PRINCIPAL

𝑛 𝑡 ℎ ROOT MEDIA LESSON
Simplify perfect 𝑛𝑡ℎroots (Duration 4:04 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: 3
b) 27
a) √81 √

4
c) 16
√ d) √243

322
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Simplify perfect 𝑛𝑡ℎroots – negative radicands (Duration 4:32 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Simplify each of the following.

4
a) 16 =
√
5
b) −32 =
√
6
c) −64 =
√

YOU TRY

Simplify. Show your work.

3
b) −64
a) √−36 √

c) − 4 625 d) 5
1
√ √

D. SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH PERFECT PRINCIPAL 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ ROOT USING EXPONENT

RULE
There is a more efficient way to find the 𝑛 𝑡 ℎ root by using the exponent rule but first let’s learn a
different method of prime factorization to factor a large number to help us break down a large number
into primes. This alternative method to a factor tree is called the “stacked division” method.
MEDIA LESSON
Prime factorization – stacked division method (Duration 3:45)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

a) 1,350 b) 168

323
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Simplify perfect root radicals using the exponent rule (Duration 5:00 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Roots: 𝑛 𝑚 where 𝑛 is the
√

Roots of an expression with exponents: the by the

. Example: Simplify.

a) �46,656 = b) 5
�1,889,568 =

MEDIA LESSON
Simplify perfect root radicals with variables (Duration 5:43 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Simplify.
3
b) √𝑚6
a) √𝑧 9

c) −5√𝑛10

YOU TRY
Simplify the following radicals using the exponent rule. Show your work.

a) 6√64 b) 3 729
√

7
c) �𝑥2𝑦4𝑧10 d) �𝑥21𝑦42

324
 Chapter 12
E. SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH NO PERFECT ROOT
Not all radicands are perfect squares, where when we take the square root, we obtain a positive integer.

For example, if we input √8 in a calculator, the calculator would display

2.828427124746190097603377448419…
and even this number is a rounded approximation of the square root. To be as accurate as possible, we
will leave all answers in exact form, i.e., answers contain integers and radicals – no decimals. When we
say to simplify an expression with radicals, the simplified expression should have
 a radical, unless the radical reduces to an integer
 a radicand with no factors containing perfect squares
 no decimals

Following these guidelines ensures the expression is in its simplest form.

Product rule for radicals

If 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two positive real numbers, then

√𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏
In general, if 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two positive real numbers, then
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
√𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏
Where 𝑛 is a positive integer and 𝑛 ≥ 𝟐𝟐.

MEDIA LESSON
Simplify square roots with not perfect square radicants (Duration 7:03)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Recall: The square root of a square

For a non-negative real number, 𝑎: √𝑎𝟐𝟐= 𝑎

For example: √25 = √5 ⋅ 5 = √52 = 5

The product rule for square roots

Given that 𝑎 and 𝑏 are non-negative real numbers,

√45 =

Example:
√8 =

√48 =
325

√150 =
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Simplify radicals with not perfect radicants – using exponent rule (Duration 4:22)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To take roots we the by the index

√𝑎 2 𝑏 =
𝑛
√𝑎 𝑛 𝑏 =
When we divide if there is a remainder, the remainder .

Example:
3
b) 750
a) √72 √

YOU TRY

Simplify. Show your work.

3
b) 200
a) √75 √

F. SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH

COEFFICIENTS
MEDIA LESSON
Simplify radicals with coefficients (Duration 3:52)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

If there is a coefficient on the radical: by what .

Example:
b) 3 5 −96
a) −8√600 √

YOU TRY

Simplify.
a) 5√63 b) −8√392

326
 Chapter 12
G. SIMPLIFY RADICALS WITH VARIABLES WITH NO
PERFECT RADICANTS
MEDIA LESSON
Simplify radicals with variables (Duration 4:22)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Variable in radicals: the by the

Remainders:

4
13 23 10 3 b) �125𝑥4𝑦𝑧5
Example:√𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑
a)

YOU TRY

Simplify. Assume all variables are positive.

a) �𝑥6𝑦5 b) −5�18𝑥4𝑦6𝑧10

c) �20𝑥5𝑦9𝑧6

327
 Chapter 12
EXERCISE
Simplify. Show all your work. Assume all variables are positive.

1) √245 2) √36 3) √12

4) 3√12 5) 6√128 6) −8√392

7) √192𝑛 8) √196𝑣 2 9) √252𝑥2

10) −√100𝑘 4 11) −7√64𝑥4 12) −5√36𝑚

13) −4�175𝑝4 14) 8�112𝑝2 15) −2√128𝑛

16) �45𝑥2𝑦2 17) �16𝑥3𝑦3 18) �320𝑥4𝑦4

19) −�32𝑥𝑦2𝑧3 20) 5�245𝑥2𝑦3 21) −2√180𝑢 3𝑣

22) √72𝑎 3𝑏 4 23) 2�80ℎ𝑗𝑗4𝑘 24) 6√50𝑎4𝑏𝑐2

25) 8√98𝑚𝑛 26) √512𝑎4𝑏 2 27) √100𝑚4𝑛3

28) −8�180𝑥4𝑦2𝑧4 29) 2�72𝑥2𝑦2 30) −5�36𝑥3𝑦4

Simplify. Show all your work. Assume all variables are positive.
3
31) 625 3
32) √750
3
33) √875
√
4
34) −44 96 35) 6 4 112 36) 648𝑎2
√ √ √

37) 5
224𝑛 3 39) −37 896𝑟
√ 38) 5�224𝑝5 √

40) −23 −48𝑣 7 41) −73 320𝑛6

√ √ 42) 3�−135𝑥5𝑦3

43) 3�−32𝑥4𝑦4 44) 3�256𝑥4𝑦6 45) 73�−81𝑥3𝑦7

46) 2 3 375𝑢 2 𝑣 8 47) −33 192𝑎𝑏2

√ √ 48) 63�−54𝑚8𝑛3𝑝7

49) 64�648𝑥5𝑦7𝑧2 50) 9�9𝑥2𝑦5𝑧3

328
 Chapter 12

SECTION 12.2: ADD AND SUBTRACT RADICALS

Adding and subtracting radicals are very similar to adding and subtracting with variables. In order to
combine terms, they need to be like terms. With radicals, we have something similar called like radicals.
Let’s look at an example with like terms and like radicals.

2𝑥 + 5𝑥 2√3 + 5√3
(2 + 5 )𝑥 (2 + 5)√3
7𝑥 7√3

Notice that when we combined the terms with √3, it was similar to combining terms with 𝑥. When adding and
subtracting with radicals, we can combine like radicals just as like terms.
Definition

If two radicals have the same radicand and the same root, then they are called like radicals. If this is
so, then
𝑎 √ 𝗑 ± 𝑏 √ 𝗑 = (𝑎 ± 𝑏 ) √ 𝗑 ,
Where 𝑎, 𝑏 are real numbers and 𝗑 is some positive real number.

In general, for any root 𝑛,

𝑎𝑛√𝗑 ± 𝑏𝑛√𝗑 = (𝑎 ± 𝑏)𝑛√𝗑,

Where 𝑎, 𝑏 are real numbers and 𝗑 is some positive real number.

 Note: When simplifying radicals with addition and subtraction, we will simplify the expression first,
and then reduce out any factors from the radicand following the guidelines in the previous section.

A. ADD AND SUBTRACT LIKE RADICALS

MEDIA LESSON
Add and subtract like radicals (Duration 3:11)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Simplify: 2𝑥 − 5𝑦 + 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 Simplify: 2√3 − 5√7 + 3√3 + 2√7

When adding and subtracting radicals, we can

. Example:
3 3
a) −4√6 + 2√11 + √11 − 5√6 b) √5 + 3√5 − 8 √5 + 2√5

YOU TRY

Simplify
5 5 5 5
a) 7 √6 + 4 √3 − 9 √3 + √6 b) −3√2 + 3√5 + 3√5

329
 Chapter 12
B. SIMPLIFY, THEN ADD AND SUBTRACT LIKE
RADICALS MEDIA LESSON
Add or subtract radicals requiring simplifying first (Duration 3:46)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Guidelines for adding and subtracting radicals

1.

2.

3. Example: Simplify
50 18
−2�50𝑥5 + 5�18𝑥5 /\ /\

MEDIA LESSON
Add or subtract radicals requiring simplifying first (continue) (Duration 5:12)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:
a) 2√18 + √50 b) 𝑥 3�𝑥2𝑦5 + 𝑦
3
�𝑥5𝑦2

YOU TRY

Simplify.
3 3 3
a) 5√45 + 6√18 − 2√98 + √20 b) 4 √54 − 9 √16 + 5 √9

330
 Chapter 12
EXERCISE
Simplify. In this section, we assume all variables to be positive.

1) 2√5 + 2√5 + 2√5 2) −2√6 − 2√6 − √6

3) 3√6 + 3√5 + 2√5 4) 2√2 − 3√18 − √2

5) 3√2 + 2√8 − 3√18 6) −3√6 − √12 + 3√3

7) 3√18 − √2 − 3√2 8) −2√18 − 3√8 − √20 + 2√20

9) −2√24 − 2√6 + 2√6 + 2√20 10) 3√24 − 3√27 + 2√6 + 2√8

4 4 4
11) −2
3
√16 + 2 3√16 + 2 3√2 12) 2 √243 − 2 √243 − √3

4 4 3 3
13) √625 -5 √625 + √64 − 5 √64 4 4
14) 3 √2 − 2 √2 − √243
4

4 4 4 4 4 4 4
15) − √324 + 3 √324 − 3 √4 16) 2 √2 + 2 √3 + 3 √64 − √3

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
17) −3 √6 − √64 + 2 √192 − 2 √64 18) 2 √160 − 2 √192 − √160 − √−160

6 6 6 6 3 3 3
19) − √256 − 2 √4 − 3 √320 − 2 √128 20) 3 √135 − √81 − √135

21) −3√18𝑥5 − √8𝑥 5 + 2√8𝑥5 + 2√8𝑥5 22) −2�2𝑥𝑦 − �2𝑥𝑦 + 3�8𝑥𝑦 + 3�8𝑥𝑦

23) 2√6𝑥 2 − √54𝑥 2 − 3�27𝑥2𝑦 − �3𝑥2𝑦 24) 2𝑥�20𝑦2 + 7𝑦√20𝑥 2 − �3𝑥𝑦

25) 3√24𝑡 − 3√54𝑡 − 2√96𝑡 + 2√150𝑡

331
 Chapter 12

SECTION 12.3: MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE

RADICALS
Recall the product rule for radicals in the previous section:
Product rule for radicals

If 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two positive real numbers, then

√𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏
In general, if 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two positive real numbers, then
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
√𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏
Where 𝑛 is a positive integer and 𝑛 ≥ 𝟐𝟐.

As long as the roots of each radical in the product are the same, we can apply the product rule and then
simplify as usual. At first, we will bring the radicals together under one radical, then simplify the radical
by applying the product rule again.

A. MULTIPLY RADICALS WITH MONOMIALS

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply monomial radical expressions (Duration 10:32 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To multiply two radicals with the same index. Multiply the together
and multiply the together. Then simplify.

Product rule (with coefficients): p𝑛√𝑢 ⋅ 𝑞 𝑛√𝑣 =

Example 1: √2 ⋅ √3 =

Example 2: 3 3 5 ⋅ 4 3 7 = b) 3
18 ⋅ 3 60
a) √15 ⋅ √6 √ √
√ √

Multiply:

4 4
c) 3√12 ⋅ 5√63 d) −2 √40 ⋅ 7 √18

e) −√6 · −3√6

332
 Chapter 12

YOU TRY

Simplify:
3
a) −5√14 ∙ 4√6 b) 2 √18 ∙ 6
3
√15

 Note: In this section, we assume all variables to be positive.

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply monomial radicals with variables (Duration 4:58 )

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Example: Multiply.
3 3
a) √18𝑥3 ⋅ √30𝑥 2 b) √16𝑥2 ⋅ √81𝑥2

YOU TRY

Simplify.
5 5
a) √8𝑥 2 ∙ √4𝑥 3 b) √60𝑥 4 ∙ √6𝑥 7

333
 Chapter 12
B. DISTRIBUTE WITH RADICALS
When there is a term in front of the parenthesis, we distribute that term to each term inside the
parenthesis. This method is applied to radicals.

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply square roots using Distributive property (Duration 2:25 )

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Example:
√7�√14 − √2� √3�5 +
√3�

MEDIA LESSON
Multiplying radical expressions with variables using Distributive property (Duration 6:57 )

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Example:
a) √𝑥 �2√𝑥 − 3� b) 4�𝑦��
5 𝑥𝑦3 − �𝑦3�

3 3 2 3 5 3 8
c) √ 𝑧 � 𝑧 √− 7 𝑧 √+ 2 𝑧 √�

YOU TRY

Simplify.

a) 7√6 (3√10 − 5√15) b) √3�7√15𝑥3 + 8𝑥√60𝑥�

334
 Chapter 12
C. MULTIPLY RADICALS
USING FOILMEDIA LESSON
Multiply binomials with radicals (Duration 4:10)

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Recall: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑎) =

Always be sure your final answer is

. a)Example:
�3√7 − 2√5��√7 + 6√5� b) �2 3 9 + 5� �4 3 3 −
1�
√ √

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply binomials with radicals with variables (Duration 5:29)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:
a) �2√𝑥 + 3��5√𝑥 − 4� b) �3𝑥 2 + 3 𝑥 2 � �2 3 𝑥 −
1� √
√

YOU TRY

Simplify.

a) (√5 − 2√3)(4√10 + 6√6) b) �3√𝑣 + 2√3��5√𝑣 − 7√3�

335
 Chapter 12
D. MULTIPLY RADICALS WITH SPECIAL-PRODUCT
FORMULASMEDIA LESSON
Multiply radicals using the perfect square formula (Duration 3:44)

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Recall the Perfect Square formula: (𝑎 + 𝑏 )2 =

Always be sure your final answer is

2 2
a) �√6 − √2� b) �2 + 3√7�
Example:

Conjugates

Recall the Difference of for two squares formula: ( 𝑎 − 𝑏 )( 𝑎 + 𝑏 ) = 𝑎𝟐− 𝑏𝟐

Notice in the 2 factors ( 𝑎 − 𝑏 ) and ( 𝑎 + 𝑏 ) have the same first and second term but there is a sign
change in the middle. When we have 2 binomials like that, we say they are conjugates of each other.
Example: Binomials Its conjugate
3−5 3+5
𝑥+5 𝑥−5
1 − √2 1 + √2

The product of two conjugates is the Difference of two squares.

This result is very helpful when multiplying radical expressions and rationalizing radicals in the later
section of this chapter.

MEDIA LESSON
Multiply radicals using the difference of squares formula (Duration 1:27)

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The Difference of Squares formula: (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏 ) =

�3 − √6�
�3 + √6� =

�√2 − √5��√2 + √5� =

�2√3 + 3√7�
�2√3 − 3√7� =

= 336
 Chapter 12
YOU TRY

a) Simplify: (5√7 + √2)2 b) Simplify: (8 − √5)(8 + √5)

E. SIMPLIFY QUOTIENTS WITH

RADICALS
Quotient rule for radicals

If 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two positive real numbers, where 𝑏 ≠ 𝟎𝟎, then

𝑎 √𝑎
� =
𝑏 √𝑏

If 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two positive real numbers, where 𝑏 ≠ 𝟎𝟎, then

𝑛 𝑎
𝑛
√𝑎
� =
𝑛
𝑏

MEDIA LESSON √𝑏
Where 𝑛 is aDivide radicals
positive (Duration
integer and 𝑛 ≥3:44)
𝟐𝟐.

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
 Note: A rational expression is not considered simplified if there is a fraction under the radical or if
there is a radical in the denominator.

Example:

75
a) �16

3 324
b) �
4

337
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Divide radicals with variables (Duration 4:34 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Examples:
100𝑥
a) � , assume 𝑥 is positive
5𝑥

3
�64𝑥2𝑦 5
b) 3 2
,
assume 𝑦 is not 0
�4𝑦

MEDIA LESSON
Divide expressions with radicals (Duration 4:20 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Simplify expressions with radicals: Always the first

Before with fractions, be sure to

first! Examples:
15 + √175 8 − √48
a) b)
10 6

YOU TRY

Simplify.
−3+√27 �44𝑦6𝑎4 15 3√108
a) b) c) 3
3 �9𝑦2𝑎8 20 √2

338
 Chapter 12
EXERCISE
Simplify. Assume all variables are positive.

1) −4√16 ∙ 3√5 2) 3√10 ∙ √20

3) −5√10𝑟 2 ∙ √5𝑟 3 4) √12𝑚 ∙ √15𝑚

3 3 3 3
5) 3 √4𝑎 4 ∙ √10𝑎 3 6) √4𝑥3 ∙ √2𝑥4

7) √6(√2 + 2) 8) 5√10(5𝑛 + √2)

9) −5√15(3√3 + 2) 10) 5√15(3√3 + 2)

11) √10(√5 + √2) 12) √15(√5 − 3√3𝑣)

13) (2 + 2�2)(−3 + √2) 14) (−2 + √3)(−5 + 2√3)

15) (−5 − 4√3)(−3 − 4√3) 16) (√5 − 5)(2√5 − 1)

17) (√2𝑎 + 2√3𝑎)(3√2𝑎 + √5𝑎) 18) (5√2 − 1)(−√2𝑚 + 5)

√10 √5
19) 20)
√6 4√125
3
5
√12 √
21) 22) 3
5 √100 4 √4

2 √4 3 3√10
23) 24) 3
3 √3 5 √27

�12𝑝2 4+ 8√45
25) 26)
�3𝑝 2√4

3+ √12 4−2√2
27) 28)
√3 3√32

339
 Chapter 12
4−√30 5 4√5𝑟 4
29) 30) 4 2
√15 √ 8𝑟

5𝑥 2 32) (5 + 2√6)2
31)
4𝑥𝑦�3𝑥𝑦

33) (𝑥 − 𝑥√5)2 34) (√3 − √7)2

35) (5√6 + 2√3)2 36) (√2 − √5)(√2 + √5)

37) (√𝑥 − �𝑦)(√𝑥 + �𝑦) 38) (4 − 2√3)(4 + 2√3)

39) (𝑥 − 𝑦√3)(𝑥 + 𝑦√3) 40) (9√𝑥 + �𝑦)(9√𝑥 − �𝑦)

340
 Chapter 12

SECTION 12.4: RATIONALIZE DENOMINATORS

A. RATIONALIZING DENOMINATORS WITH
SQUARE ROOTS
Rationalizing the denominator with square roots
To rationalize the denominator with a square root, multiply the numerator and denominator by the
exact radical in the denominator, e.g.,
𝟏𝟏 √𝗑
∙
√𝗑 √𝗑

MEDIA LESSON
Rationalize monomials (Duration 3:42)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Simplify by rationalizing the denominator.

20 35
a) b)
√10 3 √7

MEDIA LESSON
Rationalize monomials with variables (Duration 4:58)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Rationalize denominators: No in the

To clear radicals: by the extra needed factors in denominator
(multiply by the same on top!) It may be helpful to first (both
and ). Example:
√ 7𝑎 𝑏 5𝑥𝑦 3
a) �
b)
√ 6𝑎𝑐 2 15𝑥𝑦𝑧

YOU TRY

Simplify.
√6 6√14 √3−9
a) b) c)
√5 12√22 2√6

341
 Chapter 12
B. RATIONALIZING DENOMINATORS WITH HIGHER ROOTS
Radicals with higher roots in the denominators are a bit more challenging. Notice, rationalizing the
denominator with square roots works out nicely because we are only trying to obtain a radicand that is a
perfect square in the denominator. When we rationalize higher roots, we need to pay attention to the
index to make sure that we multiply enough factors to clear them out of the radical.

MEDIA LESSON
Rationalize higher roots (Duration 4:20)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Rationalize – Monomial higher root

Use the
To clear radicals by extra needed factors in denominator (multiply by the same on top!)
Hint: numbers!
Example:

a) 5 3
7 2
√𝑏 7
b) �
9𝑎 2 𝑏

YOU TRY

Simplify.

4 3√2 3 4√11
a) 3
7 √25 √

342
 Chapter 12
C. RATIONALIZE DENOMINATORS USING THE CONJUGATE
There are times where the given denominator is not just one term. Often, in the denominator, we have a
difference or sum of two terms in which one or both terms are square roots. In order to rationalize these
denominators, we use the idea from a difference of two squares:

(𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎 2 − 𝑏 2
Rationalize denominators using the conjugate

We rationalize denominators of the type 𝑎 ± √𝑏 by multiplying the numerator and denominator by their
conjugates, e.g.,
1 𝑎 − √𝑏 𝑎 − √𝑏
∙ =
𝑎 + √𝑏 𝑎 − √𝑏 (𝑎)2 − (√𝑏)2
The conjugate for
 𝑎 + √𝑏 is 𝑎 − √𝑏

 𝑎 − √𝑏 is 𝑎 + √𝑏

The case is similar for when there is something like √𝑎 ± √𝑏 in the denominator.

MEDIA LESSON
Rationalize denominators using the conjugate (Duration 4:56)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Rationalize – Binomials

1
What doesn’t work:
2+√3

Recall: �2 + √3�

Multiply by the

Example:6
3−5√2
a) b)
5−√3 4+2√2

343
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Rationalize denominators using the conjugate (Duration 2:59)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Rationalize the denominator.

a) √2
4+√10

YOU TRY

Simplify.

2 3−√5 2√5−3√7
a) b) c)
√3−5 2−√3 5√6+4√2

344
 Chapter 12
EXERCISE
Simplify. Assume all variables are positive.

2 √4 √12 √2
1) 2) 3)
3 √3 √3 3√5

3
4 √3 4+2√3 5
√
4) 5) 6) 3
√15 √9 4 √4

2 6 3√2 8
7) 3 9) 3
√2 √ 3𝑥 2
√

2𝑥 11) 𝑣 1
10) 3 4 3 12) 4
√𝑥 √2𝑣 √5𝑥

4+2√3 2−5√5 √2−3√3

13) 14) 15)
5√4 4 √13 √3

5 2 3
16) 17) 18)
3√5+√2 5+√2 4−3√3

4 4 4
19) 20) − 21)
3+√5 4−4√2 5 + √ 5𝑥 2

5 2−√5 √3+√2
22) 23) 24)
2+ √ 5𝑟 3 −3+√5 2√3−√2

4√2+3 5 2√5+√3
25) 26) 27)
3√2+√3 √3+4√5 1−√3

𝑎−𝑏 7 𝑎− √ 𝑏
28) 29) 30)
√ 𝑏− √ 𝑎 √𝑎+√𝑏 𝑎+ √ 𝑏

345
 Chapter 12

SECTION 12.5: RADICAL EQUATIONS

Here we look at equations with radicals. As you might expect, to clear a radical we can raise both sides to
an exponent. Recall, the roots of radicals can be thought of reversing an exponent. Hence, to reverse a
radical, we will use exponents.

Solving radical equations

If 𝗑 ≥ 𝟎𝟎 and 𝑎 ≥ 𝟎𝟎, then

√ 𝗑 = 𝑎 if and only if 𝗑 = 𝑎𝟐

If 𝗑 ≥ 𝟎𝟎 and 𝑎 is a real number, then

𝑛
√ 𝗑 = 𝑎 if and only if 𝗑 = 𝑎 𝑛

We assume in this chapter that all variables are greater than or equal to zero.

We can apply the following method to solve equations with radicals.

Steps for solving radical equations

Step 1. Isolate the radical.
Step 2. Raise both sides of the equation to the power of the root (index).
Step 3. Solve the equation as usual.
Step 4. Verify the solution(s). (Recall, we will omit any extraneous solutions.)

A. RADICAL EQUATIONS WITH SQUARE

ROOTS
MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations with one radical (Duration 6:47)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Solving equations having one radical

1. the radical on of the equation.

2. of the equation to the of the .

3. the resulting equation.

4. . Some solutions might .

The solutions that are called

solutions.
2
�√𝑥 � = � 3√𝑥�
3
=

346
 Chapter 12
Example: Solve.
a) √𝑥 − 7 = 11 b) √3𝑥 + 2 − 7 = 0

3
c) 2 √5𝑥 − 1 − 8 = 0 d) √𝑥 + 6 = 𝑥

YOU TRY

Solve for 𝑥.

a) √7𝑥 + 2 = 4 b) √𝑥 + 3 = 5

c) 𝑥 + √4𝑥 + 1 = 5 d) √𝑥 + 6 = 𝑥 + 4

347
 Chapter 12
B. RADICAL EQUATIONS WITH TWO
SQUARE ROOTS
MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations with two radicals (Duration 5:11)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Solving equations having two radicals

1. Put on of the .

2. to the of the .

3. If one radical , the remaining radical and raise

to the of the index again. (If the radicals have been

eliminated skip this step.)

4. the resulting equation.

5. Check for .

Example:
a) √2𝑥 +Solve.
3 − √𝑥 − 8 = 0

b) 3 + √𝑥 − 6 = √𝑥 + 9

348
 Chapter 12
MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations with two radicals – part 2 (Duration 4:33 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Solve the equation.

√1 − 8𝑥 − √−16𝑥 − 12 = 1

MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations with two radicals – part 3 – check solutions (Duration 3:27)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Check solutions

349
 Chapter 12
YOU TRY

Solve for 𝑥 and check solutions

a) √2𝑥 + 1 − √𝑥 = 1 b) √2𝑥 + 6 − √𝑥 + 4 = 1

Check solutions Check solutions

350
 Chapter 12
C. RADICAL EQUATIONS WITH HIGHER
ROOTS
MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations with radicals – odd roots (Duration 2:42)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

The opposite of taking a root is to do an .

3
√𝑥 = 4 then 𝑥 =

3 5
Example:
a) √2𝑥 − 5 = 6 b) √4𝑥 − 7 = 2

YOU TRY

Solve for 𝑛.
3
a) 𝑛 − 1 = −4 4
√ b) √𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 = 2

351
 Chapter 12
EXERCISE
Solve. Be sure to verify all solutions.

1) √2𝑥 + 3 − 3 = 0 2) √6𝑥 − 5 − 𝑥 = 0

3) 3 + 𝑥 = √6𝑥 + 13 4) √3 − 3𝑥 − 1 = 2𝑥

5) √4𝑥 + 5 − √𝑥 + 4 = 2 6) √2𝑥 + 4 − √𝑥 + 3 = 1

7) √2𝑥 + 6 − √𝑥 + 4 = 1 8) √6 − 2𝑥 − √2𝑥 + 3 = 3

9) √5𝑥 + 1 − 4 = 0 10) √𝑥 + 1 = √𝑥 + 1

11) 𝑥 − 1 = √7 − 𝑥 12) √2𝑥 + 2 = 3 + √2𝑥 − 1

13) √3𝑥 + 4 − √𝑥 + 2 = 2 14) √7𝑥 + 2 − √3𝑥 + 6 = 6

15) √4𝑥 − 3 = √3𝑥 + 1 + 1 16) √𝑥 + 2 − √𝑥 = 2

5 5 3
17) √𝑥 + 2 = √−3 18) √5𝑥 + 1 − 2 = 4

19) 33√𝑥 = 12 3
20) √7𝑥 + 15 = 1

352
 Chapter 12

CHAPTER
REVIEW
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
Look for the following terms and concepts as you work through the workbook. In the space below,
explain the meaning of each of these concepts and terms in your own words. Provide examples that
are not identical to those in the text or in the media lesson.

Radicals

Radicand

Like-radicals

Product rule for

radicals

Rationalize
denominator
process

Conjugates

To rationalize the
denominator with
square roots

353
Chapter 12

354