Unit

3 Quadratic Functions
3.4 Operations with Radicals

Date:

Homework: Page 167-168 Questions: 1-7 {Every other: a, c, e, etc}, 9-13, 15{a,c}, 16, 17

Learning Objectives/Success Criteria: At the end of this lesson I will be able to:
Express radicals as a product of two radicals, approximate answers and mixed radicals
Add, subtract, multiple and divide radicals
Rationalize the denominator

Simplifying Radicals
1. Find the largest perfect square that will divide evenly into the number under the radical sign.
2. Write the number appearing under the radical sign as the product of the perfect square and your
remainder
3. Give each number in the product its own radical sign
4. Reduce the perfect radical that you have created by taking its square root

Example 1: Simplify
a) 50




b) 45




c) 128





Adding or Subtracting Radicals
When adding or subtracting radicals, you must use the same concept as adding or subtracting like variables. In
other words, the radicals must be the same before you add (or subtract) them. Simplify any individual
radicals first. Then, add/subtract the number outside the radical and keep the radical the same.

Example 2: Simplify
a) 3 7 + 2 7



b) 5 3 7 3 + 9 3 + 2 2

c) 8 + 2




Practice:
a) 6 6 + 6 3 + 2 6


b) 4 12 + 3 3



c) 8 2 + 8






Multiplying Radicals
When multiplying radicals, you must multiple the numbers OUTSIDE the radials AND then multiple the
numbers INSIDE the radicals. Simplify the final answer:
Product Property: For a 0, b 0 : a b = ab

Example 3: 2 2 3 7

)( )

Practice: Simplify the following

)(

a) 3 6 2 5

b) 4 3

)(

c) 2 3 4 3

To multiple radical expressions use the rules of FOIL and simplify where possible

Example 4: (2 + 3 5)(3 2 6)





Practice:

)(

a) 2 + 3 2 3

)(

b) 5 3 5 + 3

( )

c) 8 3 2

5 2 10 3 3

Dividing Radicals
Same as multiplying. Divide INSIDE the brackets. Divide OUTSIDE the brackets. Simplify the final answer:

a
a
=
Quotient Property: For a 0, b 0 :

b
b
Practice: Simplify
6 48
7 12
21 8
a)




b)




c)

2 6
3
9 16





Rationalizing the Denominator
A radical is NOT in its simplest form if there is a radical in its denominator. To eliminate this, we can multiply
the radical by a form of 1. When the denominator is a binomial, we multiply by the conjugate (same terms
with the opposite operation). The product of any conjugate pair always a difference of squares.

1
4 3
3+ 2
3+ 2
a)



b)



c)



d)

3
5
2 3
3 2