SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

SINGAPORE
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT 2014
SECONDARY 2 Fun Pack (Part 2)


Name: ( ) Class: S____


F.P.2 SURDS

1) Introduction
A number that cannot be expressed as a integer fraction is called an irrational
number and the following are examples of irrational numbers:
, , ,

An irrational number involving a root is called a surd and the following are examples
of surds:


2) Rules involving Surds
There are several rules involving surds:
a)
b)
c)

Surds adhere to the rules of algebra as well.
d)
e)
f)
g)

Note: Surds should be expressed in the simplest form. First, express the number in terms
of a square (largest possible) another whole number (which does not contain a perfect
square). Then you can apply rule (a) above to separate the two parts here.
Challenge: Can you use the Laws of Indices to prove the rules shown above?
Example 1 Simplify

20

20
= 2
2
5
= 2 5


2 3 3 e
2 11
3
3 5 1+ 7

ab = a b
b
a
b
a

a a = a

a + b
( )
2
= a +b +2 ab

a b
( )
2
= a +b 2 ab

a + b
( )
a b
( )
= a b

m a n a = (m n) a
SEC 2 Nov/Dec Holiday Fun Pack/2014/SST/Mathematics Department
Pg 2 of 4
For All Questions, leave your answers exact and dont round off.
Question 1 a) Express 48 as a product of its PRIME FACTORS,
b) Hence, simplify
.


Question 2 Simplify the following expression
.

Question 3 Simplify 7 2 .

Question 4 Simplify .

Question 5 Given that , find the value of a.


CONJUGATE SURDS

These are specially related surds whose product is rational:
are conjugate surds of each other.
What would happen if you were to MULTIPLY the 2 conjugate surds?



Notice the similarity between and .
Hence, conclude the IMPORTANCE of finding the CONJUGATE SURDS?

_____________________________________________________________

NOTE convince yourself that the CONJUGATE of could be expressed
EITHER as OR as .

Question 6 Simplify .

Question 7 Find the value of .

48

32 8 + 288
5 125 27

2 3 1
( )
2
+ 1 4 3
( )
2

28 175 + 112 = a 7

m + n
( )
and m n
( )

m + n
( )
m n
( )
=

m + n
( )
m n
( )

a+b ( ) a b ( )

m + n
( )

m n
( )

m+ n
( )

5 + 2
( )
5 2
( )


2 + 3
( )
2
+ 2 3
( )
2

SEC 2 Nov/Dec Holiday Fun Pack/2014/SST/Mathematics Department
Pg 3 of 4

RATIONALISATION OF THE SURD

Looking at the following examples of rational and irrational surds, deduce the definition of a
rational surd. You can compare the values by checking their values in the calculator.

Rational Surd Irrational Surd







A surd is considered as rational when _______________________________.


Example 2 Rationalise
3
5 + 2


Important: The key is to multiply the conjugate surd of the denominator on both the
numerator and denominator of the fraction.

3
5 + 2
=
3 5 2
( )
5 + 2
( )
5 2
( )
=
3 5 3 2
5
( )
2
2
( )
2
=
15 6
5 2
=
15 6
3


Question 8 Rationalise .

Question 9 Simplify .




2

1
2

2 +1

1
2 1

15 2 2
7

5 + 2
3+ 2
1 3
3

1 2
5 + 3

1+ 2
5 3
SEC 2 Nov/Dec Holiday Fun Pack/2014/SST/Mathematics Department
Pg 4 of 4
Question 10 Given and . Identify the larger number without
using a calculator.
Question 11 Given that , evaluate .
Question 12 Simplify
1
1+ 2
+
1
2 + 3
+
1
3 + 4
+... +
1
n + n+1
.
Question 13 Find the value of h and of k for each of the following:

a)

b)
(Hint: group 1 2
( )
first and rationalise the denominator twice)
Question 14 The sides AB and BC of a triangle, right-angled at B, are of lengths
and respectively. Find,
a) area of the triangle
b) the value of AC
2
.









Answers:
Q1. a) 2
4
3, b) 4 3. Q2. 14 2 Q3.
42
5
3
Q4. 62 12 3

Q5. a =1

Q6. 3
Q7. 10 Q8.
3+ 3
2

Q9. 10 3
Q10. Hint: use division to find if the rationalised fraction is greater than or less than 1.
Q11. 10
5
8
+
15
8
21

Q12. n+1 1

Q13 a) h =
1
5
, k =
1
15
, b) h =1, k =1
Q14. a) 8+
7
2
10 , b) 45+10 10

a = 6 2

b = 2 2 6

x = 3 + 7
2
2
1
x
x

3 2
2 3 + 3 3
= h + k 6

1+ 2 + 3
1 2 + 3
= h 2 + k 3

3 2 + 5
( )

2 +2 5
( )