Grade 8

Surds
Simplify expressions involving surds, including
rationalising denominators

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 Key Vocabulary
Simplify
Surd
Rationalise
Denominator
How to simplify expressions
involving surds.
We are sometimes asked to simplify surds by writing
them in the form a√b.
Start by finding the largest square number that
divides into the surd.

√32= √(16 x 2) √300 = √(100 x 3)

=√16 x √ 2 = √100 x √3
= 4√2 = 10 √3
√50 = √(25 x 2)
= √25 x √2 √180 = √(36 x 5)
=5 x √2 = √36 x √5
=5√2 = 6√5
 How to simplify expressions
involving surds
We may also need to expand and simplify using surds

3(5- √3) = 15 - 3 √3

√5 (2+ √3) = 2 √5 + √15

(1 + √3) (2 + √8) = 2 + √8 + 2√3+ √24

= 2 + √(4 x 2) + 2√3 + √(4 x 6)
= 2 + √4 x √2 + 2√3 + √4 x √6
= 2 + 2√2 + 2 √3 + 2 √6
 How to simplify expressions with surds
including rationalising the denominator
Rationalise each expression:

X √8
= x (1+√2) Multiply by
X √6 X √8 the inverse!
x (1+√2)
X √6 Can
= simplify! = Expand the
= ÷2
brackets
÷2
=
= =
=

= =
= ÷2
÷2
= = = -3(1 + √2)
Simplify surds – now you try.....
a)√75

b)√ 40

c)√ 162

d)√ 117

e) √5( 2+ √4)

f) (√3+ 2)(√5+3)

g) (2- √3)2
Simplify surds – now you try.....
a)√75 = 5 √3

b)√ 40 = 2 √10

c)√ 162 = 9 √2

d)√ 117 = 3 √13

e) √5( 2+ √4) =4√5

f) (√3+ 2)(√5+3) = √15 + 3√3 +2√5 + 6

g) (2- √3)2 = 7- 4 √3
Rationalising denominators
Rationalising denominators
=

=
Problem Solving and Reasoning
Jim wants to put a fence (√2 + 6) m

around his rectangular

field. The exact length √5 m
and width of the field are
given opposite.
a) How long must his
fencing be?
b) What is the area of
the field?
Problem Solving and Reasoning
Jim wants to put a fence (√2 + 6) m

around his rectangular

field. The exact length √5 m
and width of the field are
given opposite.
a) Exactly how long
must his fencing be?
2 √5+2 √2+ 12 m
b) What is the exact
area of the field?
√10 + 6 √5 m
Reason and explain
Why do we refer to the ‘exact value’ with surds ?

Explain in words how to Rationalise a denominator.

Think also about the ‘inverse operation rule’

What do you look for when you simplifying a surd?

Spot the mistake: =