Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions

Greenville Academy of Sta.
Clara
Sta. Clara, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions

Learning Objective(s)
 Multiply and simplify radical expressions that contain a single term.
 Divide and simplify radical expressions that contain a single term.

Introduction

You can do more than just simplify radical expressions. You can multiply and
divide them, too. You can use your knowledge of exponents to help you when you
have to operate on radical expressions this way.

Multiplying Radical Expressions

Let’s start with a quantity that you have seen before, . You can simplify this
square root by thinking of it as .

If you think of the radicand as a product of two factors (here, thinking about 64 as
the product of 16 and 4), you can take the square root of each factor and then
multiply the roots. The end result is the same, .

This is an example of the Product Raised to a Power Rule. This rule states that
the product of two or more numbers raised to a power is equal to the product of
each number raised to the same power.

This should be a familiar idea. You have applied this rule when expanding
expressions such as (ab)x to ax • bx; now you are going to amend it to include
Greenville Academy of Sta. Clara
radicals as well. Imagine that the exponent x is not an integer but is a unit fraction,
like , so that you have the expression . According to the Product Raised to a
Power Rule, this can also be written , which is the same as , since
fractional exponents can be rewritten as roots. So, for the same reason
that , you find that .

A Product Raised to a Power Rule

For any numbers a and b and any integer x:

For any numbers a and b and any positive integer x:

For any numbers a and b and any positive integer x:

The Product Raised to a Power Rule is important because you can use it to
multiply radical expressions. Note that the roots are the same—you can combine
square roots with square roots, or cube roots with cube roots, for example. But you
can’t multiply a square root and a cube root using this rule.

Let’s look at another example.

Example
Problem Simplify.
Use the rule

to multiply the radicands.

Look for perfect squares
in the radicand, and
rewrite the radicand as the
product of two factors.
Identify perfect squares.
Rewrite as the product of

two radicals.

Simplify, using .
Answer

Using the Product Raised to a Power Rule, you can take a seemingly complicated
expression, , and turn it into something more manageable, .

You may have also noticed that both and can be written as products
involving perfect square factors. How would the expression change if you
simplified each radical first, before multiplying?

Example
Problem Simplify.

in each radicand, and
rewrite as the product of

two factors.
Identify perfect squares.
Rewrite as the product of

radicals.

Simplify, using .
Multiply.
Answer

In both cases, you arrive at the same product, . It does not matter whether
you multiply the radicands or simplify each radical first.

You multiply radical expressions that contain variables in the same manner. As
long as the roots of the radical expressions are the same, you can use the Product
Raised to a Power Rule to multiply and simplify. Look at the two examples that
follow. In both problems, the Product Raised to a Power Rule is used right away
and then the expression is simplified.

Example
Problem
Simplify. ,
Use the
rule to
multiply the radicands.

Recall that .

in the radicand.
Rewrite as the product
of radicals.

Answer

Example
Problem
Simplify.
Notice
that both radicals are
cube roots, so you
can use the

rule to
multiply the
radicands.

Look for perfect

cubes in the radicand.
Since is not a
perfect cube, it has to
be rewritten
as .
Rewrite as the
product of radicals.

Answer

This next example is slightly more complicated because there are more than two
radicals being multiplied. In this case, notice how the radicals are simplified before
multiplication takes place. (Remember that the order you choose to use is up to you
—you will find that sometimes it is easier to multiply before simplifying, and other
times it is easier to simplify before multiplying. With some practice, you may be
able to tell which is which before you approach the problem, but either order will
work for all problems.)

Example
Proble
Simplify. , ,
m
Notice this
expression is
multiplying three
radicals with the
same (fourth)
root. Simplify
each radical, if
possible, before
multiplying. Be
looking for
powers of 4 in
each radicand.
Rewrite as the
product of
radicals.
Identify and pull
out powers of 4,
using the fact
that .
Since all the
radicals are fourth
roots, you can use
the
rule
to multiply the
radicands.

Now that the

radicands have
been multiplied,
look again for
powers of 4, and
pull them out. We
can drop the
absolute value
signs in our final
answer because at
the start of the
problem we were
told , .
Answe
r

Dividing Radical Expressions

You can use the same ideas to help you figure out how to simplify and divide
radical expressions. Recall that the Product Raised to a Power Rule states
that . Well, what if you are dealing with a quotient instead of a
product?

There is a rule for that, too. The Quotient Raised to a Power Rule states
that . Again, if you imagine that the exponent is a rational number, then
you can make this rule applicable for roots as well: , so .

A Quotient Raised to a Power Rule

For any real numbers a and b (b ≠ 0) and any positive integer x:

For any real numbers a and b (b ≠ 0) and any positive integer x:

As you did with multiplication, you will start with some examples featuring
integers before moving on to more complex expressions like .

Example
Problem
Simplify.

Use the rule to
create two radicals; one
in the numerator and one
in the denominator.
Simplify each radical.

Look for perfect square
factors in the radicand,
and rewrite the radicand
as a product of factors.
Identify and pull out

perfect squares.

Simplify.
Answer

Example
Problem
Simplify.
Rewrite using the
Quotient Raised to a
Power Rule.
Simplify each radical.
Look for perfect cubes
rewrite the radicand as a
product of factors.
Identify and pull out
perfect cubes.

You can simplify this

expression even further
by looking for common
factors in the numerator
and denominator.
Rewrite the numerator as
a product of factors.
Identify factors of 1, and
simplify.

Answer

That was a lot of effort, but you were able to simplify using the Quotient Raised to
a Power Rule. What if you found the quotient of this expression by dividing within
the radical first, and then took the cube root of the quotient?

Let’s take another look at that problem.

Example
Problem
Simplify.
Since both radicals are
cube roots, you can use
the rule to

create a single rational
expression underneath
the radical.
Within the radical,
divide 640 by 40.
Look for perfect cubes

rewrite the radicand as a
product of factors.
Identify perfect cubes
and pull them out.

Simplify.
Answer

That was a more straightforward approach, wasn’t it?

As with multiplication, the main idea here is that sometimes it makes sense to
divide and then simplify, and other times it makes sense to simplify and then
divide. Whichever order you choose, though, you should arrive at the same final
expression.

Now let’s turn to some radical expressions containing variables. Notice that the
process for dividing these is the same as it is for dividing integers.
Example
Problem
Simplify. ,
Use the Quotient Raised

to a Power Rule to
rewrite this expression.

Simplify by
identifying similar
factors in the numerator
and denominator and
then identifying factors
of 1.
Answer
s you become more familiar with dividing and simplifying radical expressions,
make sure you continue to pay attention to the roots of the radicals that you are
dividing. For example, while you can think of as equivalent to
since both the numerator and the denominator are square roots, notice that you
cannot express as . In this second case, the numerator is a square

root and the denominator is a fourth root.
Summary

The Product Raised to a Power Rule and the Quotient Raised to a Power Rule can
be used to simplify radical expressions as long as the roots of the radicals are the
same. The Product Rule states that the product of two or more numbers raised to a
power is equal to the product of each number raised to the same power. The same
is true of roots: . When dividing radical expressions, the rules
governing quotients are similar:
Solving Radical Equations
A radical equation is an equation in which a variable is under a radical. To solve a

radical equation:
1. Isolate the radical expression involving the variable. If more than one
radical expression involves the variable, then isolate one of them.
2. Raise both sides of the equation to the index of the radical.
3. If there is still a radical equation, repeat steps 1 and 2; otherwise, solve
the resulting equation and check the answer in the original equation.
By raising both sides of an equation to a power, some solutions may have been
introduced that do not make the original equation true. These solutions are
called extraneous solutions.
Example 1
Solve .
Isolate the radical expression.

Raise both sides to the index of the radical; in this case, square both sides.
This quadratic equation now can be solved either by factoring or by applying the
quadratic formula.
Applying the quadratic
formula,
Now, check the results.

If ,
If x = –5,
The solution is or x = –5.
Example 2
Solve .
There is no solution, since cannot have a negative value.
Example 3
Solve .
Isolate one of the radical expressions.
This is still a radical equation. Isolate the radical expression.

This can be solved either by factoring or by applying the quadratic formula.
Applying the quadratic formula,
Check the solutions.
If x = 10,
So x = 10 is not a solution.
If x = 2,
The only solution is x = 2.
Example 4
Solve .
Isolate the radical involving the variable.
Since radicals with odd indexes can have negative answers, this problem does have
solutions. Raise both sides of the equation to the index of the radical; in this case,
cube both sides.
The check of the solution x = –15 is left to you.

Solve Radical Equations
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
 Solve radical equations

 Solve radical equations with two radicals
 Use radicals in applications.
Solve Radical Equations
In this section we will solve equations that have a variable in the radicand of a
radical expression. An equation of this type is called a radical equation.
Radical Equation
An equation in which a variable is in the radicand of a radical expression is called

a radical equation.
As usual, when solving these equations, what we do to one side of an equation we

must do to the other side as well. Once we isolate the radical, our strategy will be
to raise both sides of the equation to the power of the index. This will eliminate the
radical.
Solving radical equations containing an even index by raising both sides to the
power of the index may introduce an algebraic solution that would not be a
solution to the original radical equation. Again, we call this an extraneous solution
as we did when we solved rational equations.
In the next example, we will see how to solve a radical equation. Our strategy is
based on raising a radical with index n to the nth power. This will eliminate the
radical.
How to Solve a Radical Equation

Solve:
Solve a radical equation with one radical.
1. Isolate the radical on one side of the equation.

2. Raise both sides of the equation to the power of the index.
3. Solve the new equation.
4. Check the answer in the original equation.
When we use a radical sign, it indicates the principal or positive root. If an

equation has a radical with an even index equal to a negative number, that equation
will have no solution.
Solve:
To isolate the radical, subtract 1 to both sides.
Simplify.
Because the square root is equal to a negative number, the equation has no
solution.
Solve:
Solve:
If one side of an equation with a square root is a binomial, we use the Product of
Binomial Squares Pattern when we square it.
Binomial Squares
Don’t forget the middle term!

Solve:
To isolate the radical, subtract 1 from both sides.
Simplify.
Square both sides of the equation.
Simplify, using the Product of Binomial Squares Pattern

on the
right. Then solve the new equation.
It is a quadratic equation, so get zero on one side.
Factor the right side.
Use the Zero Product Property.
Solve each equation.

Check the answers.
Sometimes an equation will contain rational exponents instead of a radical. We use

the same techniques to solve the equation as when we have a radical. We raise
each side of the equation to the power of the denominator of the rational exponent.
Since we have for example,
Sometimes the solution of a radical equation results in two algebraic solutions, but
one of them may be an extraneous solution!
Solve:
The solution
is r = 5.
Solve Radical Equations with Two Radicals

Solve Radical Equations with Two Radicals
Solving Radical Equations

If the radical equation has two radicals, we start out by isolating one of them. It
often works out easiest to isolate the more complicated radical first.
In the next example, when one radical is isolated, the second radical is also
isolated.
Solve .
This quadratic equation now can be solved either by factoring or by applying the
quadratic formula.
Applying the quadratic
formula,
Now, check the results.

If ,
If x = –5,
The solution is or x = –5.
Example 2
Solve .
There is no solution, since cannot have a negative value.
Example 3
Solve .
Isolate one of the radical expressions.
This is still a radical equation. Isolate the radical expression.

This can be solved either by factoring or by applying the quadratic formula.
Applying the quadratic formula,
Check the solutions.
If x = 10,
So x = 10 is not a solution.
If x = 2,
The only solution is x = 2.
Example 4
Solve .
Isolate the radical involving the variable.
Since radicals with odd indexes can have negative answers, this problem does have
solutions. Raise both sides of the equation to the index of the radical; in this case,
cube both sides.
The check of the solution x = –15 is left to youSometimes after

raising both sides of an equation to a power, we still have a variable inside a
radical. When that happens, we repeat Step 1 and Step 2 of our procedure. We
isolate the radical and raise both sides of the equation to the power of the index
again
How to Solve a Radical Equation

Solve:
We summarize the steps here. We have adjusted our previous steps to include
more than one radical in the equation This procedure will now work for any radical
equations.
Solve a radical equation.
1. Isolate one of the radical terms on one side of the equation.

3. Are there any more radicals?
If yes, repeat Step 1 and Step 2 again.

If no, solve the new equation.

Be careful as you square binomials in the next example. Remember the pattern
is or
Solve:
The radical on the right is isolated.

Square
both sides.
Simplify.
There is still a radical in the

equation so
we must repeat the previous steps.
Isolate
the radical.
Square both sides. It would not help

to
divide both sides by 6. Remember to
square both the 6 and the
Simplify, then solve the new

equation.
Distribute.
It is a quadratic equation, so get zero

on
one side.
Factor the right side.
Use the Zero Product Property.
The checks are left to you. The solutions are and
Use Radicals in Applications
As you progress through your college courses, you’ll encounter formulas that
include radicals in many disciplines. We will modify our Problem Solving Strategy
for Geometry Applications slightly to give us a plan for solving applications with
formulas from any discipline.
Use a problem solving strategy for applications with formulas.
1. Read the problem and make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
When appropriate, draw a figure and label it with the given information.
2. Identify what we are looking for.
3. Name what we are looking for by choosing a variable to represent it.
4. Translate into an equation by writing the appropriate formula or model for
the situation. Substitute in the given information.
5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.
One application of radicals has to do with the effect of gravity on falling objects.
The formula allows us to determine how long it will take a fallen object to hit the
gound.
Falling Objects
On Earth, if an object is dropped from a height of h feet, the time in seconds it will
take to reach the ground is found by using the formula
For example, if an object is dropped from a height of 64 feet, we can find the time
it takes to reach the ground by substituting into the formula.
Take the square root of 64.
Simplify the fraction.
It would take 2 seconds for an object dropped from a height of 64 feet to reach the
ground.
Marissa dropped her sunglasses from a bridge 400 feet above a river. Use the
formula to find how many seconds it took for the sunglasses to reach the
river.
Step 1. Read the problem.
the time it takes for the

Step 2. Identify what we are looking for.
sunglasses to reach the river
Step 3. Name what we are looking. Let time.
Step 4. Translate into an equation by writing the

appropriate formula. Substitute in the given
information.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Step 6. Check the answer in the problem and

make
sure it makes sense.
Does 5 seconds seem like a reasonable length of

Yes.
time?
Step 7. Answer the question. It will take 5 seconds for the

sunglasses to reach the
river.
A helicopter dropped a rescue package from a height of 1,296 feet. Use the
formula to find how many seconds it took for the package to reach the
ground.
9 seconds
A window washer dropped a squeegee from a platform 196 feet above the sidewalk
Use the formula to find how many seconds it took for the squeegee to reach
the sidewalk.
seconds
Police officers investigating car accidents measure the length of the skid marks on
the pavement. Then they use square roots to determine the speed, in miles per hour,
a car was going before applying the brakes.
Skid Marks and Speed of a Car
If the length of the skid marks is d feet, then the speed, s, of the car before the
brakes were applied can be found by using the formula
After a car accident, the skid marks for one car measured 190 feet. Use the
formula to find the speed of the car before the brakes were applied.
Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Step 1. Read the problem
Step 2. Identify what we are

the speed of a car
looking for.
Step 3. Name what weare looking

Let the speed.
for,
Step 4. Translate into an equation

by writing
the appropriate formula. Substitute

in the
given information.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Round to 1 decimal place.
The speed of the car before the brakes were

applied
was 67.5 miles per hour.
An accident investigator measured the skid marks of the car. The length of the skid
marks was 76 feet. Use the formula to find the speed of the car before
the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
feet
The skid marks of a vehicle involved in an accident were 122 feet long. Use the
formula to find the speed of the vehicle before the brakes were applied.
Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
feet
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with solving
radical equations
Key Concepts
Binomial Squares
 Solve a Radical Equation

1. Isolate one of the radical terms on one side of the equation.
3. Are there any more radicals?
If yes, repeat Step 1 and Step 2 again.

If no, solve the new equation.
 Problem Solving Strategy for Applications with Formulas
1. Read the problem and make sure all the words and ideas are
understood. When appropriate, draw a figure and label it with the given
information.
2. Identify what we are looking for.

3. Name what we are looking for by choosing a variable to represent it.
4. Translate into an equation by writing the appropriate formula or
model for the situation. Substitute in the given information.
5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.
CHAPTER ENDER
An expression with rational exponent is defined as follows:
Let a be a real number and n a positive integer. We define a 1/n as follows:
a. If n is odd, then a 1/n is a real number

b. If n is even and a > 0 , then a 1/n is the nonnegative real number
If n is even and a< 0 , then a 1/n is not defined in the set of real numbers.
 The laws of rational exponents are derived from the laws of integral
exponents. Applying these laws, we will have the following rules.
a. Let a be a real number and n a positive integers such that a 1/n is

defined. If m is an integer.
b. Let a and b be a real numbers where a and b are not equal to 0 and
r and s be rational numbers greater than 0 but less than 1.
Following the laws of rational exponents, we will have the following theorems on
radicals:
In any positive integer n greater than 1 , if n a is a real number , then a 1/n = .By
definition of a radical, it follows that;
If m is any integer, n is any positive integer and a is a nonzero real number for
which is defined then
 Similar radicaks are radicals of the same order and have the same radicand.
In combining similar radicals, add or subtract its numerical coefficient and
copy the common radical.
 The product of the nth roots of two numbers is equal to the nth root of the
product of those numbers, where a > 0 and b > 0 when n is even.
 In solving equations involving radicals, begin by isolating the radical on the

side of the equation then raise both sides of the equation to the power equal
to the index of the radical.
 Some of geometric formulas involve radicals.
EXAMPLES:
a. Finding the measure of the hypotenuse of a right triangle
Where a and b are the legs of the right triangle and c is the
hypotenuse.
b. Finding the area of a triangle iven the measuresn of the three sides,
a,b and c or what we called the Heron`s Formula.
Where s is half the perimeter of the triangle or
c. Find the measure the diagonal of a square:
Where s is the side of the square


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Greenville Academy of Sta.

Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions

that , you find that .

A Product Raised to a Power Rule

For any numbers a and b and any positive integer x:

Use the rule

Rewrite as the product of

Look for perfect squares

rewrite as the product of

Rewrite as the product of

can use the

Look for perfect

Now that the

A Quotient Raised to a Power Rule

For any real numbers a and b (b ≠ 0) and any positive integer x:

For any real numbers a and b (b ≠ 0) and any positive integer x:

integers before moving on to more complex expressions like .

Simplify each radical.

Identify and pull out

You can simplify this

the rule to

Look for perfect cubes

Use the Quotient Raised

cannot express as . In this second case, the numerator is a square

governing quotients are similar:

Solving Radical Equations

A radical equation is an equation in which a variable is under a radical. To solve a

Isolate the radical expression.

Applying the quadratic

Now, check the results.

The solution is or x = –5.

Isolate the radical expression.

There is no solution, since cannot have a negative value.

Isolate one of the radical expressions.

This is still a radical equation. Isolate the radical expression.

This can be solved either by factoring or by applying the quadratic formula.

Applying the quadratic formula,

Check the solutions.

So x = 10 is not a solution.

The only solution is x = 2.

Isolate the radical involving the variable.

The check of the solution x = –15 is left to you.

Solve Radical Equations

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

 Solve radical equations

Solve Radical Equations

An equation in which a variable is in the radicand of a radical expression is called

As usual, when solving these equations, what we do to one side of an equation we

How to Solve a Radical Equation

Solve a radical equation with one radical.

1. Isolate the radical on one side of the equation.

When we use a radical sign, it indicates the principal or positive root. If an

To isolate the radical, subtract 1 to both sides.

Don’t forget the middle term!

To isolate the radical, subtract 1 from both sides.

Square both sides of the equation.

Simplify, using the Product of Binomial Squares Pattern

right. Then solve the new equation.

It is a quadratic equation, so get zero on one side.