Lesson 2.

Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

OBJECTIVES: In this lesson, students will be able to perform addition and subtraction on
radical expression.
I. Perform each operation. Compare the results in column A with these in column B.

A B
√16 + √16 = 4+4= 8 2√16 = 8

3√16 + √16 = 12+4= 16 4√16 = 16

5√16 − 2√16 = 20-8= 12 3√16 = 12

3 3 3
5√27 + √27 = 15+3= 18 6√27 = 18
3 3
5√27 − 3√27 = 15-3(3√3)=15-9√3 4√27 = 12

II. Write a rule for addition and subtraction of like radicals.

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Definition
Like Radicals
Radicals are called like radicals when they have the same index and same radicand.

Since 3√2 and √2 contain like radicals, we can combine them. Thus,
3√2 + √2 = (3 + 1)√2

= 4√2

Similarly, 4 3√𝑥 − 2 3√𝑥 = (4 − 2) 3√𝑥

= 2 3√𝑥

Rule
Addition and Subtraction of Like Radicals

a√𝑥 + 𝑏√𝑥 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)√𝑥

a√𝑥 − 𝑏√𝑥 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)√𝑥
Examples(1) Addition of Radicals
Perform the indicated operation,
3 3
a) 4𝑥√𝑦 + 6𝑥√𝑦 b) 5√𝑎𝑏 + 6√𝑎𝑏 − 2√𝑎𝑏 − 3√𝑎𝑏

Solution: Solution:
3 3
4𝑥√𝑦 + 6𝑥√𝑦 5√𝑎𝑏 + 6√𝑎𝑏 − 2√𝑎𝑏 − 3√𝑎𝑏
3 3
= (4𝑥 + 6𝑥)√𝑦 = (5√𝑎𝑏 − 3√𝑎𝑏) + (6√𝑎𝑏 −2√𝑎𝑏 )
3
= 10𝑥√𝑦 = (5 − 3)√𝑎𝑏 + (6 − 2) √𝑎𝑏
3
= 2√𝑎𝑏 + 4√𝑎𝑏

Try it!
Perform the indicated operation.

3
a) 9√𝑎𝑏𝑐 + 8√𝑎𝑏𝑐
3
b) 2𝑝 3√𝑚𝑛 + 8 3√𝑚𝑛 − 3 3√𝑚𝑛 − 4𝑝 3√𝑚𝑛

Solution: Solution:

= (9 + 8)√𝑎𝑏𝑐
3 = (2𝑝 3√𝑚𝑛 − 4𝑝 3√𝑚𝑛 ) + (8 3√𝑚𝑛 − 3 3√𝑚𝑛 )

= 17√𝑎𝑏𝑐
3
= (2𝑝 − 4𝑝) 3√𝑚𝑛 + (8 − 3) 3√𝑚𝑛

= −2𝑝 3√𝑚𝑛 + 5 3√𝑚𝑛 or ( −2𝑝 + 5) 3√𝑚𝑛

Examples(2) Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

Add or Subtract as indicated.

a) 4√27 + 5√12 b) √48𝑎2 𝑏 + √27𝑎 2 𝑏

 1 1
c) 15√ 𝑥 + 4√18𝑦 + 5√45𝑥 − 10√ 𝑦
5 2

Try it 2
Add or subtract as indicated.
1
a) √80 + 4√5 + √125 b) √5 + √5

Example (3) Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

Simplify each expression.
3 3
a) 2√54𝑥 4 − 𝑥 √250𝑥 b) √45𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 3 + 2𝑥√20 + 4𝑥 + √5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3
 Try it 3
Simplify each expression.

3 3
a) √7𝑥 4 𝑦 5 + 𝑥 √250𝑥 − √189𝑥 4 𝑦 5 d) √8𝑥 3 + 12𝑥 2 + 2𝑥√18𝑥 + 27 + √2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2

Drills!
Answer Practice and Application test I,II and III. page 172 of your book.

References:
E- Math 9, pages 168-172
Orlando A. Oronce and Marilyn O. Mendoza (Authors)