Radical Expressions

Radical
● An expression that uses the radical sign (√ )
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Examples: √3, √2, √xy, √a
● The term inside the radical sign is called the radicand
● The small number written at the left of the radical sign is called the
index.

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 Radical Expressions

Radical
If a radical has no index written, then it means that its index is 2

In other words, a radical without an index pertains to a square root.

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 Radical Expressions

Square Root of a Number

● To find the square root of a number, think of a factor that when
multiplied to itself results to the given number.
Example: √ 9 = 3 since 3 x 3 = 9
● The numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, and 100 are the first 10
numbers with whole number square roots. They are called Perfect
Square numbers.
Example:√ 1 = 1, √ 4 = 2, √ 9 = 3, √ 16 = 4, …, √100 = 10
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 Radical Expressions

Approximating the Square Root of a Number

To find an approximate of √a given that a is not a perfect square, find the
perfect square number close a.
Example: What is the closest whole number to √192?
Sol: Note that: 132 = 169, 142 = 196, and 152 = 225 which means that
the value of √192 is nearly located between 13 and 14. Since 196 is
closer to 192 compared to 169, then the closest whole number to
√192 is 14.

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 Radical Expressions

Cube Root of a Number

● To find the cube root of a number, think of a factor that when multiplied
by itself results to the given number.
Example: 3√27 = 3 since 3 x 3 x 3 = 27
● The numbers 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000 are the first 10
perfect cube numbers
Example: 3√1 = 1, 3√8 = 2, 3√27 = 3, 3√64 = 4, …, 3√1000 = 10

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 Radical Expressions

Exponential Form to Radical Form

● In general, am/n = n√am

● The denominator of the exponent becomes the index while the numerator
becomes the power of the radicand

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 Radical Expressions

Exponential Form to Radical Exponential Form to Radical

form Sample #1 form Sample #2

Convert 41/3 to radical form Convert (x-2)p/q to radical form

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 Radical Expressions
“Same Index - Same Exponent”
Property of Radicals

If the index of the radical and the power of the

radicand are equal, then the radical sign will cancel
out, leaving us with only the radicand 2

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 Radical Expressions
Product Property of
Radicals
The root of the product of given numbers is
equal to the product of the roots of the
given numbers

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 Radical Expressions
Quotient Property of
Radicals
The root of the quotient of given numbers is
equal to the quotient of the roots of the
given numbers

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

Case #1: Simplifying square root of a whole number

Express the radicand as product of its factors such that one of the factors must be a perfect
square.

Example:

Example: Which of the following is equal to √162?

a) 9√2 b) 5√3 c) 14√2 d) 8√3

Ans: A
Sol:

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

Case #2: Simplifying cube root of a whole number

Express the radicand as product of its factors such that one of the factors must be a perfect
cube.

Example:

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

Case #3: Simplifying variables under the square root sign

Express the variable as product of a factor with an exponent of 2 (or multiple of 2)
and another factor. The factor with an exponent of 2(or multiple of 2) loses its radical
sign.

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

Case #3: Simplifying variables under the square root sign

Note: If you use an exponent that is a multiple of 2 (e.g., 4, 8, 12, 16, …), divide the
exponent by the index; the result will be the exponent of the quantity.

More examples:

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

Case #4: Simplifying variables under the cube root sign

Express the variable as product of a factor with an exponent of 3 (or multiple of 3)
and another factor. The factor with an exponent of 3(or multiple of 3) loses its radical
sign.

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

Case #4: Simplifying variables under the cube root sign

Note: If you use an exponent that is a multiple of 3 (e.g., 3, 6, 9, 12, …), divide the
exponent by the index; the result will be the exponent of the quantity.

More examples:

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 Radical Expressions
Simplifying Radical Expression

General Case:
Express the radicand as factors with exponents equal or as a multiple of the index.
Remove the radical of the factors with exponents equal or as a multiple of the index.

Example:

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 Radical Expressions
Rationalizing the
Denominator

● Definition: Removing the Sol:

radical form in the
denominator

● To rationalize the
denominator, we multiply both
the numerator and the
denominator by an expression
that will remove the radical
sign in the denominator

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 Radical Expressions
Rationalizing the Denominator

Tip: If the denominator is in the form √a, multiply both the numerator and the
denominator by √a.

Example:

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 Radical Expressions
Rationalizing the Denominator

Tip: If the denominator is in the form 3√a, multiply both the numerator and the
denominator by 3√a2.

Example:

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 Radical Expressions
Rationalizing the Denominator Example

Sol:

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 Radical Expressions
Rationalizing the Denominator Using the Conjugate

● If the radical expression has a denominator in the form √a + √b or √a - √b, then we

rationalize the denominator using the conjugate.
- The conjugate of √a + √b is simply √a - √b
- The conjugate of √a - √b is simply √a + √b
● Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate to rationalize

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 Radical Expressions
Like Radicals

● Radicals with the same index and radicand

● Like radicals can be combined or added together.

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 Radical Expressions

Addition/Subtraction of Radicals
● Like radicals can be combined. Meanwhile, unlike radicals cannot be
added/subtracted

● To add/subtract radicals, add the quantities outside the radical sign

then copy the common radical.

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 Radical Expressions

Addition of Radicals Subtraction of Radicals

Sample Sample

= =

= =

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 Radical Expressions

Multiplication of Radicals

Multiply the radicands and maintain the same index.

Examples:

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 Radical Expressions
Division of Radicals

Divide the radicands then maintain the same index

Example:

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 Radical Expressions
Solving Radical Equation
(Square Root Case)

If a single square root is on one side of the equation then raise both sides to the 2nd
power (removes the radical sign) then solve for x

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 Radical Expressions
Solving Radical Equation
(Cube Root Case)

Cube root case: If a single cube root is on one side of the equation, then raise both sides to the third power
(removes the radical sign), then solve for x:

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