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Chapter 9.4 - Multiplication and Division of Radicals PDF
Chapter 9.4 - Multiplication and Division of Radicals PDF
Chapter 9.4 - Multiplication and Division of Radicals PDF
As long as the roots are the same we can multiply the radicands together using the
following property.
Multiplying Radicals Given positive real numbers A and B and integer n > 1:
n
A n B = n AB
Since multiplication is commutative just multiply the coefficients together and multiply
the radicands together, if the roots are the same, then simplify.
A. Multiply
4 25
3 3 9
2 16 2
2 5 3 3 5 27 2 5 9
8 3 9 27
6 5 3 15 4 3
Take care to be sure that the roots are the same before multiplying. We will assume that
all variables are positive.
B. Simplify
x10 x 4
23 2 6
Problems Solved!
3 xy 2 3 9 x 2 y 4
3 3 5 3 + 2 15
x2
xy 5 5 5 x 3 y
2 x 3 16 x
9.4 - 1
2 3 3 2 6
)(
5+ 3
)(
5 3
(2
(1 7 )(1 + 7 )
3x 2 y
These binomials
are conjugates of
each other.
When dividing radical expressions, as long as the roots are the same, we can divide the
radicands using the following property.
Dividing Radicals Given positive real numbers A and B and integer n > 1:
n
A n A
=
n
B
B
It is our choice to divide the radicands first or simplify first then divide. Either way we
choose to work the following problems the results will be the same.
C. Divide (assume all variables are positive)
100
50 x 5
2x
24
54 x 5 y 8
18
3 xy 3
Problems Solved!
16a 5 b 4
3
2a 2 b
64a 7 b 9
5
2a 2 b
9.4 - 2
Simplify:
5
2x 2 y 3
7x
21x 3 y 2
Problems Solved!
Step 4: Canceling, if we
can, is the last step.
3
2x
4a11
b13 c 7
2b 3 5
2a 2 b
5 5 c 4
5
25a 2 b
9.4 - 3
Tip: When rationalizing the denominator the root drives our choices. Multiply numerator
and denominator by what you need to raise all the powers of the denominator to equal the
root.
This technique does not work when dividing by a binomial which contains a radical. A
new technique is introduced to deal with this situation.
Simplify:
1
2+ 3
)(
Problems Solved!
3+2
x+ y
5 3
x y
9.4 - 4