LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 473 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Chapter 15
Surds and Indices
This chapter deals with defining the system of real numbers, distinguishing between rational
and irrational numbers, performing operations with surds, using integers and fractions for
index notation, and converting between surd and index form.
After completing this chapter you should be able to:
define real numbers and distinguish between rational and irrational numbers
simplify expressions involving surds
expand expressions involving surds
rationalise the denominators of simple surds
use the index laws to define fractional indices
translate expressions in surd form to expressions in index form and vice versa
evaluate numerical expressions involving fractional indices
use the calculator to evaluate fractional powers of numbers
evaluate a fraction raised to the power of 1
prove some general properties of real numbers.

Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

WM: S5.3.1S5.3.5
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 474 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

474 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

Diagnostic Test

1 Which of the following statements is not 10 2 35 6 =

correct? A 30 6 B 30 2
A the square root of 4 is 2 or 2 C 10 30 D 180
B 4 = 2 C 4 = 2
11 2( 5 2 3) =
D 4 = 2
A 10 2 3 B 10 2 6
2 Which of the following is not a rational C 10 4 3 D 10 2 6
number?
9 2
A 11 B ------ C 2 3--4- D 4.7 12 ( 5 + 2) =
16
A 7 B 7 + 2 10
3 (3 5 )2 =
C 14 D 2 7
A 45 B 225 C 15 D 9 5
13 Expressed with a rational denominator,
4 In its simplest form, 32 =
5
A 2 8 B 8 2 C 16 2 D 4 2 ----------- =
2 3
5 Written in the form n, 5 6 = 5 15 5 10
A ------- B ---------- C ------- D ----------
A 30 B 180 C 150 D 900 6 6 3 6
1
---
2
40 14 10 =
6 ---------- =
5 1 1
1 A 5 B --- C 10 D ----------
A 8 B --- C 2 2 D 35 5 10
8
1 4 3
7 4 --- = 15 In index form, k =
9 4 3
37 --- ---
A ---------- B 2 1--3- C 4 1--3- D 2 1--9- A k12 B k
3
C k
4
D k7
3
2
---
8 4 10 2 5 + 6 10 = 3
16 When evaluated, 27 =
A 8 15 B 10 10 2 5
A 18 B 9 C 6 D 40.5
C 8 5 D 2 15 + 6 10
1
17 3--- =
9 18 + 2 = 5
A 20 B 4 2 3 5 1
A 1 2--3- B --- C --- D ------
5 3 15
C 2 3+ 2 D 2 5

If you have any difficulty with these questions, refer to the examples and questions in the sections
listed in the table.

Question 1 2 37 8, 9 1012 13 1416 17

Section A B C D E F G H
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 475 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 475

A. THE SQUARE ROOT OF A NUMBER

The square root of a number, x, is that number which when multiplied by itself is equal to x.
For example, the square root of 9 is 3 or 3, since 32 = 9 and (3)2 = 9.
x is the positive square root of x, e.g., 9 = 3. x is then the negative square root of x.

Example 1

Write down:
a the square root of 81 b 81 c 81

a the square root of 81 = 9 or 9 b 81 = 9 c 81 = 9

Exercise 15A
1 Write down:
a the square root of 4 b 4 c 4
d the square root of 25 e 25 f 25
g the square root of 49 h 49 i 49
j the square root of 64 k 64 l 64

Example 2

Find, where possible:

a 9 b 9 c 9 d 0

a 9 =3 b 9 = 3

c Since there is no number which multiplied by itself is equal to 9, it is not possible

to find 9 . We say that 9 is undefined.

d The square root of 0 is 0, since 0 0 = 0. Zero is neither positive nor negative but
we define 0 = 0.

2 Find, where possible:

a 4 b 4 c 4 d 0 e 16
f 16 g 16 h 36 i 36 j 36
k 25 l 81 m 64 n 100 o 1

From the above examples:

x is undefined for x < 0
x = 0 for x = 0
x is the positive square root of x when x > 0
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 476 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

476 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

B. THE REAL NUMBER SYSTEM

Real numbers are those that can be represented by points on a number line. Real numbers are either rational or
irrational.
a
A rational number is one that can be expressed as the ratio - of two integers, where b 0.
b
An irrational number is a real number that is not rational.

Example 1

Show that the following are rational numbers:

3
a 2 --- b 0.637 c 3 d 0. 4 e 3.1
4
3 11
a 2 --- = ------
4 4
a 3
This is in the form --- , where a and b are integers, hence 2 --- is a rational number.
b 4
637
b 0.637 = -------------
1000
a
This is in the form --- , where a and b are integers, hence 0.637 is a rational number.
b
3
c 3 = ---
1
a
This is in the form --- , where a and b are integers, hence 3 is a rational number.
b
4
d 0. 4 = --- (You learnt how to convert recurring decimals into fractions in chapter 5.)
9
a
This is in the form --- , where a and b are integers, hence 0. 4 . is a rational number.
b
e 3.1 = 3 -----1
-
10
31
= ------
10
a
This is in the form --- , where a and b are integers, hence 3.1 is a rational number.
b

From Example 1 we note that:

Any terminating or recurring decimal is a rational number.

Exercise 15B
a
1 Show that the following are rational numbers by expressing them in the form --- .
b
a 4 2--3- b 0.91 c 5 d 0. 7 e 5 1--2- f 2.84
4
g 0. 5 3 h 2.6 i 16 j --- k 30% l 7.3%
9
2 Convert the following rational numbers to decimals.
3 5 1
a --- b 1 5--8- c 4 2--3- d ------ e --- f 69%
5 12 7
g 6.5% h 17 2--3- %
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 477 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 477

From question 2 we note that:

When a rational number is converted to a decimal, the decimal either terminates or recurs.

Example 2

Convert the following real numbers to a decimal and discuss whether they are
rational or irrational.
a 2 b 5

Using a calculator
a 2 = 1.414 213 562 b 5 = 2.236 067 978
Since neither decimal terminates or recurs (although we have only been able to show
an answer to 9 decimal places, the limit of the calculator display) these numbers
cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers and hence are not rational. They are
irrational numbers.

Example 3

Determine whether the following real numbers are rational or irrational.

16
a 6 b ------
49

a 6 = 2.449 897 43
Since the decimal neither terminates nor recurs, it cannot be expressed as the
ratio of two integers, hence 6 is an irrational number.
16 4 4 4 16
b ------ = --- (since --- --- = ------ )
49 7 7 7 49
a 16
This is in the form --- , where a and b are integers, hence ------ is a rational number.
b 49

3 Determine whether the following real numbers are rational or irrational

4 5
a 8 b 9 c 11 d ------ e ------
25 16

Example 4

Using a calculator 6 = 2.449 489 743 Write true or false for the following
statements:
a 6 = 2.44 b 6 = 2.449 c 6 = 2.4494
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 478 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

478 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

a 2.442 = 5.9536 The statement is false.

b 2.4492 = 5.997 601 The statement is false.
c 2.44942 = 5.999 560 36 The statement is false.
Because 6 is irrational its exact value cannot be written as a decimal. The values
given in parts a, b and c are rational approximations for 6 .

4 Using a calculator 2 = 1.414 213 562 Write true or false for the following statements:
a 2 = 1.41 b 2 = 1.414 c 2 = 1.4142

5 Write rational approximations, correct to 3 decimal places, for:

a 11 b 15 c 37 d 99 e 151

6 a Using a ruler and set square, copy the diagram below into your exercise book.
P1
1
O
3 2 1 0 1 Q 2 3
b Use Pythagoras theorem to calculate the length of the interval OP1.
c Using a pair of compasses as shown, accurately mark the position of 2 on the number
line.

7 a Extend the diagram in question 1 as shown below.

P2
1
P1
2
1
O
3 2 1 0 1 Q 2 3
b Calculate the length of OP2.
c Mark the position of 3 on the number line.

8 Extend the diagram in question 7 to show the position on a number line of 4, 5, 6,

Extension:

Proof that 2 is irrational

In example 2 we cannot be certain that the decimal form of 2 does not terminate or recur after some large
number of decimal places, hence it is not a proof that 2 is irrational. Work through the following proof with
your teacher.
a
Assume that 2 is rational. That is, assume that 2 can be written in the form -- , where a and b are integers
b
and the fraction is written in its simplest form (i.e. a and b have no common factors).
a
If 2 = --
b
2
a
then, squaring both sides 2 = ----2-
b
and a 2 = 2b 2 . (1)
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 479 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 479

Hence a 2 is even (any multiple of 2 is even) and therefore a is even.

If a is even, then a may be written in the form 2k, where k is an integer.
i.e. a = 2k
a2 = 4k 2
Substituting a 2 = 4k 2 into (1), 4k 2 = 2b 2
b2 = 2k 2
Hence b 2 is even and therefore b is even.
a
But if a and b are both even then the fraction -- cannot be in its simplest form, which contradicts our original
b
statement.
a
Therefore 2 cannot be written in the form -- where a and b are integers with no common factor, i.e. 2 is
b
not rational.

C. PROPERTIES OF SURDS
In section B we distinguished between rational and irrational numbers. The set of irrational numbers contains
numbers such as 2 , 3 2 , etc. Irrational numbers that contain the radical sign are called surds.
When working with surds we may use the
A set is a group
following properties: of objects
(numbers, letters,
names ).
If x > 0 and y > 0,
2 2
1 ( x) = x = x

2 xy = x y
x x
3 - = ------
y y

Example 1

Simplify:
2 2 2
a ( 5) b 5 c (3 5)

2
a 5 is the positive number which b 5 = 25
multiplied by itself is equal to 5. =5
2
Hence ( 5 ) = 5
c (3 5 )2 = 3 5 3 5
= 9 ( 5 )2
=95
= 45
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 480 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

480 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

Exercise 15C
1 Simplify:
2 2
a ( 11 )2 b 11 c ( 8 )2 d 8 e ( 6 )2
f (3 2 )2 g (2 3 )2 h (5 2 )2 i (10 7 )2 j (4 5 )2

Example 2

Simplify:
a 5 3 b 6 7

Using property 2 from above:

a 5 3 = 53 b 6 7 = 67
= 15 = 42

2 Simplify:
a 2 7 b 3 10 c 5 2
d 7 11 e 13 17 f 3 2 5
g 7 5 10

Example 3

Simplify:
a 28 b 45

Using property 2:
a 28 = 2 14 or 4 7
= 2 14 or 4 7
Since 4 is a perfect square, 4 simplifies to 2 and we choose the second product.
i.e. 28 = 4 7
= 2 7
= 2 7
b We look for factors of 45, one of which is a perfect square.
45 = 9 5
= 3 5

3 Simplify:
a 12 b 20 c 18 d 27 e 8
f 90 g 50 h 75 i 200 j 98
k 24 l 32 m 48 n 72 o 128
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 481 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 481

Example 4

Simplify:
a 3 12 b 2 6

a 3 12 = 36 b 2 6 = 12
= 6 = 4 3
= 2 3

4 Simplify:
a 8 2 b 2 32 c 5 20 d 2 10 e 10 5
f 14 2 g 8 5 h 15 3 i 15 5 j 3 8

Example 5

Express 3 5 in the form n.

3 5 = 9 5
= 45

5 Express in the form n .

a 3 2 b 2 3 c 4 5 d 5 2 e 10 7

Example 6

Simplify:
a
16
------ b
11
------ c 21
---
25 25 4

Using property 3:
c 21
--- =
16 16 11 11 9
a ------ = ---------- b ------ = ---------- ---
25 25 25 25 4 4
4 11 3 1
= --- = ---------- = --- = 1 ---
5 5 2 2

6 Simplify:
9 9 17 5 11
a ------ b ------ c ------ d ------ e ------
16 25 25 16 16

f
21
------ g 61
--- h 17
--- i 13
--- j 25
---
9 4 9 4 9
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 482 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

482 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

Example 7

Simplify:
12 15 40
a ---------- b ---------- c ----------
3 5 5
Using property 3:
12 12 15 15 40 40
a ---------- = ------ b ---------- = ------ c ---------- = ------
3 3 5 5 5 5
= 4 = 3 = 8
= 2 = 2 2

7 Simplify:
24 18 18 20 24
a ---------- b ---------- c ---------- d ---------- e ----------
6 2 3 10 8
30 24 24 32 54
f ---------- g ---------- h ---------- i ---------- j ----------
6 3 2 2 3
8 Determine whether the following statements are true or false. Give a reason.
2 2
a ( 5) = 5 b 3 7 = 21 c (4 2) = 8 d 18 = 2 3
12 1 1
e 20 5 = 10 f ---------- = 6 g 1 --- = 1 ---
2 4 2

D. ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF SURDS

Example 1

Simplify:
a 3 2+5 2 b 8 52 5

a 3 2+5 2 = 8 2 b 8 52 5 = 6 5

Exercise 15D
1 Simplify:
a 5 3+4 3 b 7 11 + 6 11 c 7 53 5 d 9 74 7
e 6 3+4 3+5 3 f 8 3+5 37 3 g 15 6 3 6 4 6
h 8 53 5+2 5 i 5 10 7 10 j 3 58 5+2 5
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 483 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 483

Example 2

Simplify:
a 4 2+5 3+3 2 b 7 6+4 73 65 7

Collect like surds.

a 4 2+5 3+3 2 = 7 2+5 3 b 7 6+4 73 65 7 = 4 6 7

2 Simplify:
a 5 2+4 3+6 2 b 7 3+4 5+3 5 c 6 2+5 2+2 3
d 5 7 2 10 + 3 7 e 6 5 + 2 11 3 5 f 7 10 4 6 6 10
g 5 2+6 33 2+ 3 h 6 3+2 75 34 7
i 10 5 4 3 5 3 + 2 5 j 4 11 3 10 6 11 2 10

Example 3

Simplify:
a 18 + 2 b 50 18

a 18 + 2 = 3 2 + 2 b 50 18 = 5 2 3 2
= 4 2 = 2 2

3 Simplify:
a 18 + 4 2 b 12 + 5 3 c 20 2 5 d 6 2 8
e 45 + 20 f 54 24 g 48 12
h 24 + 3 6 4 6 i 6 2 18 2 2 j 75 48 27

4 Simplify:
a 5 6 + 24 3 5 b 50 + 6 3 8 c 8 10 + 4 5 90
d 28 + 27 + 63 + 12 e 7 5 20 + 45 5 6

5 Determine whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons.
a 5+ 3 = 8 b 3 52 5 = 1 c 24 6 = 6
d 4 3 + 2 7 = 6 10 e 6 2 = 72
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 484 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

484 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

E. MULTIPLICATION OF SURDS
Example 1

Simplify:
a 43 7 b 3 52 3 c 6 23 8 d 5 84 3

a 43 7 = 43 7 b 3 5 2 3 = (3 2) ( 5 3)
= 12 7 = 6 15
c 6 2 3 8 = (6 3) ( 2 8) d 5 8 4 3 = (5 4) ( 8 3)
= 18 16 = 20 24
= 18 4 = 20 2 6
= 72 = 40 6

Exercise 15E
1 Simplify:
a 52 3 b 26 2 c 4 7 10 d 2 65
e 3 36 2 f 10 5 3 7 g 6 77 6 h 5 12 2 3
i 6 2 3 18 j 2 32 5 2 k 5 3 20 l 3 64 3
m 5 32 8 o 6 62 2 p 3 10 2

Example 2

Simplify:
a 3( 7 + 2 6) b 2( 7 3 5) c 4 3(2 5 + 3 2)

a 3( 7 + 2 6) = 3 7 + 3 2 6 b 2( 7 3 5) = 2 7 23 5
= 3 7+6 6 = 14 3 10
c 4 3 (2 5 + 3 2) = 4 3 2 5 + 4 3 3 2
= 8 15 + 12 6

2 Simplify:
a 5( 6 + 3) b 2( 5 + 4 3) c 4 ( 2 10 3 2 )
d 3( 5 + 2) e 5( 6 4 3) f 2(3 5 + 2 7)
g 3 2( 7 4 3) h 4 3 ( 2 5 + 5 10 ) i 3 5(2 3 + 4 5)
j 2 10 ( 6 2 3 10 ) k 5 2(3 5 2 6) l 3 6(4 3 + 2 8)
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 485 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 485

Example 3

Simplify:
2
a ( 5 + 3)( 5 4) b (2 3 2 5)(4 3 + 5) c ( 7 + 3)

a ( 5 + 3)( 5 4) = 5( 5 4) + 3( 5 4)
= 5 4 5 + 3 5 12
= 7 5

b (2 3 2 5)(4 3 + 5) = 2 3(4 3 + 5) 2 5(4 3 + 5)

= 24 + 2 15 8 15 10
= 14 6 15
2 2 2
c ( 7 + 3) = ( 7) + 2 7 3 + ( 3)
= 7 + 2 21 + 3
= 10 + 2 21

3 Simplify:
a ( 3 + 5)( 3 + 2) b ( 7 + 3)( 7 4) c ( 10 6 ) ( 10 1 )
d ( 5 3)( 5 + 3) e (2 3 + 5)( 3 + 1) f (3 2 + 4)(2 2 7)
g (2 5 3)(4 5 + 3) h (5 2 2 3)(3 2 + 4 3) i (3 7 + 5 2)( 7 4 2)
j (2 6 4 3)(3 6 3) k (3 5 + 4 2)(3 5 3 2) l (2 7 + 5)(2 7 5)
2 2
m (4 5 3 2)(4 5 + 3 2) n ( 3 + 6) o ( 5 + 2)
2 2 2
p ( 10 5 ) q (2 5 + 3) r (3 7 2 5)

4 Determine whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons.
a 2 33 2 = 6 6 b 4 3 5 = 12 60 c 3 12 5 3 = 90
2
d 7( 2 3) = 14 3 e ( 5 + 3) = 8

F. RATIONALISING THE DENOMINATOR OF A SURD

Example 1

Rationalise the denominator of:

1 5 3 5 3
a ------- b ------- c ------- d -----------
7 7 7 7

 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 486 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

486 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

Rationalise the denominator of a fraction means to convert it to an equivalent fraction

with a rational denominator. Since a a = a , we proceed as follows.
1 1 7 5 5 7
- = ------- -------
a ------ b ------- = ------- -------
7 7 7 7 7 7
7 5 7
= ------- = -----------
7 7
3 3 7 5 3 5 3 7
c ------- = ------- ------- d ----------- = ----------- -------
7 7 7 7 7 7
21 5 21
= ---------- = --------------
7 7

Exercise 15F
1 Rationalise the denominator of:
1 1 1 5 3
a ------- b ------- c ---------- d ------- e -------
5 3 10 2 6
8 3 7 11 2
f ------- g ------- h ------- i ---------- j -------
7 5 3 6 7
3 2 4 3 3 7 5 5 4 10
k ----------- l ----------- m ----------- n ----------- o --------------
5 10 6 2 3

Example 2

Rationalise the denominator of:

1 5 5 3
a ----------- b ----------- c -----------
4 7 4 7 4 7

1 1 7 5 5 7 5 3 5 3 7
- = ----------- -------
a ---------- b ----------- = ----------- ------- c ----------- = ----------- -------
4 7 4 7 7 4 7 4 7 7 4 7 4 7 7
7 5 7 5 21
= ------- = ----------- = --------------
28 28 28

2 Rationalise the denominator of:

1 1 4 8 5
a ----------- b ----------- c ----------- d ----------- e -----------
2 3 3 5 5 2 3 7 3 2
10 5 7 6 2 3 5 2 7
f ----------- g -------------- h ----------- i -------------- j -----------
4 3 3 10 5 3 2 11 5 6
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 487 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 487

Extension

Example 3

a Expand and simplify ( 5 + 3 ) ( 5 3 ) .

1 1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i --------------------- ii ---------------------
5+ 3 5 3

a ( 5 + 3 ) ( 5 3 ) = 5 15 + 15 3
= 2 Remember that
2 2
(a + b)(a b) = a b

1 1 5 3 1 1 5+ 3
b i --------------------- = --------------------- --------------------- ii --------------------- = --------------------- ---------------------
5+ 3 5+ 3 5 3 5 3 5 3 5+ 3
5 3 5+ 3
= --------------------- = ---------------------
2 2

3 a Expand and simplify ( 7 + 2 ) ( 7 2 ) .

1 1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i -------------------------- ii -------------------------
( 7 + 2) ( 7 2)
4 a Expand and simplify ( 10 + 3 ) ( 10 3 ) .
1 1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i ----------------------------- ii ------------------------
( 10 + 3 ) 10 3
5 a Expand and simplify ( 5 + 2 ) ( 5 2 ) .
1 1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i ---------------------- ii ---------------------
( 5 + 2) ( 5 2)
6 a Expand and simplify ( 6 + 3 ) ( 6 3 ) .
5 10
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i ---------------------- ii ---------------------
(6 + 3) (6 3)
7 a Expand and simplify ( 2 3 + 2 ) ( 2 3 2 ) .
5 7
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i ------------------------------ ii -----------------------------
(2 3 + 2) (2 3 2)
8 a Expand and simplify ( 3 2 + 5 ) ( 3 2 5 ) .
( 2 + 3) (3 2 4)
b Hence rationalise the denominator of i ------------------------- ii -------------------------
(3 2 + 5) (3 2 5)
9 Rationalise the denominator of:
1 3 ( 5 + 1)
a --------------------- b ----------------------------- c ----------------------
( 6 2) ( 10 + 2 ) 3 2
( 10 2 ) (2 5 + 3 2)
d ------------------------- e ---------------------------------
10 + 2 (2 5 3 2)
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 488 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

488 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

G. FRACTIONAL INDICES

Example 1
1 4
--4-
a Use the index laws to simplify a .
1
4 ---
4
b Simplify ( 4 a ) . c Hence show that a = 4 a.

a 1 4 b 4
--4-
1
--- 4
4
(4 a) = 4 a4 a4 a4 a
a = a
= a
1
= a

= a
1 4 1
--4- 4 ---
4
c Since a = ( 4 a ) = a , then a = 4 a

Exercise 15G
1 2
--2-
1 a Use the index laws to simplify a .
2
b Simplify ( a ) . 1---
2
c Hence show that a = a .
1 3
--3-
2 a Use the index laws to simplify a .
3
b Simplify ( 3 a ) . --1-
3
c Hence show that a = 3 a .

Example 2

Write in surd form:

1 1
--- ------
5 10
a k b z
1 1
--- ------
5 5 10 10
a k = a b z = z

3 Write in surd form:

1 1 1 1
--- --- --- ---
4 2 3 8
a m b y c p d t
1 1 1 1
--- --- --- ---
6 4 3 n
e 17 f 25 g 62 h a
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 489 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 489

Example 3

Evaluate:
1 1
--- ---
2 4
a 25 b 256
1 1
--- ---
2 4
a 25 = 25 b 256 = 4 256
= 5 = 4 ( since 4 4 4 4 = 256 )

4 Evaluate:
1 1 1 1 1
--- --- --- --- ---
2 3 4 5 6
a 49 b 27 c 625 d 32 e 1000 000
1 1 1 1 1
--- --- --- --- ------
3 2 4 3 10
f 8 h 121 i 81 j 64 k 1

5 Use your calculator to evaluate, correct to 2 decimal places:

1 1 1 1 1
--- --- --- --- ---
3 4 5 2 6
a 5 b 2 c 298 d 41 e 831

Example 4

Write in index form:

a 3 7 b 5 m
1 1
--- ---
3 3 5 5
a 7 = 7 b m = m

6 Write in index form:

a 10 b 3 7 c 4 5 d 5 38
e 6 56 f 3 y g 5 k h m

Example 5

Write in index form:

3 3
a ( m) b m
1 3 1
--2-
3 3
---
3 2
a ( m) = m b m = (m )
1
3 ---
1 2
--- 3 = m
2
= m 3
---
3 2
--- = m
2
= m
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 490 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

490 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

7 Write in index form:

5 5 2 2 5
a ( m) b m c (3 m) d 3
m e ( a)
5 3 4 3 7
f a g 4
k h 3
w i 5
y j (4 t)

Example 6

Write down the meaning of:

3 5
--- ---
4 3
a k b w
1 3 1 5 1 5 1
3
--4-
--- ---
3 4 --3-
---
3
---
5 3
a 4
k = k or ( k ) b w = w or ( w )

3 3 5 5
= ( 4 k ) or 4
k = (3 w) or 3
w

8 Write down the meaning of:

2 4 3 3 5
--- --- --- --- ---
3 3 2 5 2
a k b m c t d a e w

Example 7

Evaluate:
5 3
--- ---
3 2
a 8 b 25
5 3
--- ---
5 2 3
a 83 = ( 3 8 ) b 25 = ( 25 )
5 3
= 2 = 5
= 32 = 125

9 Evaluate:
3 2 3 4
--- --- --- ---
2 3 4 3
a 9 b 8 c 16 d 27
5 4 3 3
--- --- --- ---
2 3 2 5
e 4 f 8 g 49 h 32

10 Use your calculator to evaluate:

4 3 13
--- --- ------
a 729 3 b 16 807 5 c 1024 10
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 491 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 491

H. SOME GENERAL PROPERTIES OF REAL NUMBERS

Exercise 15H
1 Use the fraction key on your calculator to evaluate (as a fraction):
1 1 1 1 1
a 5--- b 6--- c 9--- d 2--- e 3---
2 5 7 3 4
a 1
Show that --- = --- .
b
2 b a
3 If a and b are real numbers, determine whether the following statements are true or false. If
false give a counter example.
(Hint: Try several different pairs of real A counter example
is an example that
numbers to test the truth of the statements.) demonstrates the
a i a + b is a real number statement is false.

ii a b is a real number
iii a b is a real number
iv a b is a real number
b i a+b=b+a ii a b = b a
iii a b = b a iv) a b = b a
c i (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
ii (a b) c = a (b c)
iii (a b) c = a (b c)
iv (a b) c = a (b c)
d i a0=0 ii a + 0 = a iii a 1 = a iv a a = 1

4 If m and n are rational numbers, determine whether the following statements are true or
false. If false give a counter example.
a m + n is always rational b m n is always rational
c m n is always rational d m n is always rational

5 Find a pair of surds which satisfy the condition:

a the product of the surds is irrational b the product is rational
c the quotient is irrational d the quotient is rational

6 a Write down three consecutive integers starting with y.

b Hence show that the sum of any three consecutive integers is divisible by 3.

7 a Show that any even number can be written in the form 2k, where k is an integer.
b Show that any odd number can be written in the form 2k + 1, where k is an integer.
c Hence prove the following properties of numbers:
i the sum of any two even numbers is even
ii the sum of any two odd numbers is even
iii the sum of an even number and an odd number is odd
iv the product of two even numbers is even
v the product of an odd number and an even number is even
vi the product of two odd numbers is odd.
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 492 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

492 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

Language in Mathematics

1 a Explain, in words, how to calculate:

i the square of a number ii the square root of a number.
b Write down the: i square of 9 ii square root(s) of 9.
c Which of the following numbers are perfect squares: 1, 4, 12, 25, 27, 200?
1
---
d Write in words: i m2 ii m iii m iv m 2

2 What is a: a real number b rational number c irrational number?

3 Use words from the list below to complete the following statements.
radical, terminating, false, rationalising, recurring
a Every rational number can be expressed as a ___ or ___ decimal.
b Converting the denominator of a fraction into a rational numbers is called ___ the
denominator.
c The mathematical sign is called the ___ sign.
d A counter example is an example which demonstrates that a statement is ___ .

4 Write down an example of three consecutive integers.

5 a Find the i sum and ii product of 5 and 9.

b What is the quotient when 13 is divided by 5?

6 Use a dictionary to write down two meanings of each of the following words:
general, property, index

7 Three of the words in the following list have been spelt incorrectly. Rewrite them with the
correct spelling.
ratio, convurt, indixes, recur, fractional, intejer

Glossary
approximation consecutive convert counter example
fractional general index indices
integer irrational perfect square product
property quotient radical sign ratio
rational rationalise real recur
recurring square square root surd
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 493 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 493

CHECK YOUR SKILLS

1 Which of the following statements is not correct?

A the square root of 25 is 5 or 5 B 25 = 5 C 25 = 5 D 25 = 5

2 Which of the following is not a rational number?

9
A 17 B ------ C 3 3--4- D 21
16
2
3 (2 3) =
A 12 B 36 C 6 D 6

4 In its simplest form, 80 =

A 10 8 B 8 10 C 2 20 D 4 5

5 Written in the form n, 2 7 =

A 14 B 28 C 98 D 196

50
6 ---------- =
5
A 10 B 10 C 2 5 D 5 2

1
7 9 ---
4
37
A ---------- B 3 1--2- C 3 1--4- D 9 1--2-
2

8 6 52 3+3 5 =
A 7 7 B 9 52 3 C 7 2 D 4 2+3 5

9 12 + 27 =
A 39 B 5 3 C 5 6 D 3 5

10 4 35 2 =
A 20 6 B 60 2 C 5 24 D 120

11 5(3 2 3) =
A 3 10 3 5 B 30 15 C 3 10 15 D 3 10 3 5

2
12 ( 7 2) =
A 5 B 25 C 5 2 14 D 9 2 14
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 494 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

494 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

3 2
13 Expressed with a rational denominator, ----------- =
2 5
3 2 3 2 3 10 6
A ----------- B ----------- C -------------- D --------------
10 5 10 2 10
1
---
14 12 2 =
1 1
A 6 B --- C 12 D ----------
6 144
3 4
15 In index form, k =

4 3
--- ---
12 3 4 1
A k B k C k D k
3
---
4
16 When evaluated, 16 =
1
A 12 B 21 1--3- C 8 D ---
8
1
17 4--- =
3
4 1 3 3
A --- B ------ C --- D ---
3 12 4 4

If you have any difficulty with these questions, refer to the examples and questions in the sections
listed in the table.

Question 1 2 37 8, 9 1012 13 1416 17

Section A B C D E F G H
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 495 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 495

REVIEW SET 15A

1 Find, where possible:
a the square root of 16 b 16 c 16 d 16 e 0
a
2 Show that the following are rational numbers by expressing them in the form --- .
b
a 3 1--4- b 5 c 0.83 d 0. 5

3 Convert the following rational numbers to decimals.

3 1
a --- b 23% c --- d 3 1--2-
8 3
4 Determine whether the following real numbers are rational or irrational.
3 16
a 3 b 5 c 9 d --- e ------
4 9
2 2
5 Simplify: a ( 2) b (5 2) c 6 7 d 3 52 7

6 Express in simplest form: a 18 b 20 c 3 12 d 8 3

7 Express in the form n: a 2 5 b 5 2

16 17 1 4
8 Simplify: a ------ b ------ c 2 --- d 1 ---
25 25 4 9
15 20 24
e ---------- f ---------- g ----------
3 5 3
9 Write true or false.
2
a 7 = 7 b 3 5 = 15 c 45 = 5 3
20 1 1
d 2 32 = 8 e ---------- = 5 f 4 --- = 2 ---
2 4 2
10 Simplify:
a 5 3+7 32 3 b 8 26 6+4 6 c 50 18 d 2 5 + 20

11 Write true or false.

a 6+ 3 = 9 b 27 6 = 21 c 5 74 7 = 7

12 Simplify:
a 2 85 2 b 6 82 3 c 4 5 10 d 5( 7 + 2)
2
e 3 2(2 5 3 3) f ( 6 + 3)( 6 2) g (3 7 + 4)

13 Rationalise the denominator of:

1 3
a ---------- b --------------
10 2 10
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 496 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

496 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

14 a Expand and simplify ( 2 + 1)( 2 1).

1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of ----------------- .
2+1
15 Write as a surd:
1 1 3 2
--- --- --- ---
3 5 4 3
a k b k c k d k

16 Write in index form:

3 5
a z b y c m

17 Evaluate:
1 4 2
--- --- ---
2 3 3
a 25 b 8 c 343
1
Write as a fraction ---
5
18 4

REVIEW SET 15B

1 Find, where possible:
a the square root of 36 b 36 c 36 d 36 e 0
a
2 Show that the following are rational numbers, by expressing them in the form --- .
b
1
a 3 --- b 4 c 0.27 d 0. 3
3
3 Convert the following rational numbers to decimals.
5 2 1
a --- b 49% c --- d 4 ---
8 3 2
4 Determine whether the following real numbers are rational or irrational.
5 16
a 5.2 b 7 c 36 d --- e ------
8 9
5 Simplify:
2 2
a ( 3) b (5 3) c 5 6 d 2 76 2

6 Express in simplest form:

a 8 b 45 c 8 2 d 8 6

7 Express in the form n:

a 2 7 b 4 3
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 497 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 497

8 Simplify:
9 11 7 1
a --- b ------ c 1 --- d 3 ---
4 4 9 4
18 24 24
e ---------- f ---------- g ----------
6 6 2
9 Write true or false.
2
a 10 = 10 b 5 3 = 15 c 54 = 6 3
20 1 1
d 2 18 = 6 e ---------- = 5 f 9 --- = 3 ---
4 4 2
10 Simplify:
a 4 2 + 5 2 10 2 b 5 36 54 5 c 45 20 d 3 6 + 24

11 Write true or false.

a 7 + 5 = 12 b 27 12 = 15 c 6 65 6 = 1

12 Simplify:
a 2 12 5 3 b 4 62 3 c 37 2 d 3 ( 10 3 )
2
e 2 5(2 3 3 5) f ( 7 + 3)( 7 2 3) g (2 6 5)

13 Rationalise the denominator of:

1 2
a ------- b -----------
5 3 5
14 a Expand and simplify ( 3 + 2 ) ( 3 2 ) .
1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of --------------------- .
3 2
15 Write as a surd:
1 1 4 3
--- --- --- ---
2 4 3 5
a n b n c n d n

16 Write in index form:

3 3
a m b w c t

17 Evaluate:
1 3 3
--- --- ---
2 4 2
a 49 b 16 c 324
3 1
18 Write as a fraction --- .
5
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 498 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

498 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

REVIEW SET 15C

1 Find, where possible:
a the square root of 9 b 9 c 9 d 9 e 0
a
2 Show that the following are rational numbers by expressing them in the form --- .
b
7
a 1 --- b 2 c 0.314 d 0. 6
8
3 Convert the following rational numbers to decimals.
1 5 2
a --- b 137% c --- d 5 ---
8 9 3
4 Determine whether the following real numbers are rational or irrational.
7 16
a 17 b 11 c 100 d --- e ------
9 25
5 Simplify:
2 2
a ( 7) b (2 7) c 5 11 d 3 62 5

6 Express in simplest form:

a 60 b 54 c 20 5 d 24 2

7 Express in the form n:

a 10 2 b 3 7

8 Simplify:
9 17 9 5
a ------ b ------ c 1 ------ d 1 ------
16 16 16 16
30 27 48
e ---------- f ---------- g ----------
10 3 6
9 Write true or false.
2
a 3 = 3 b 4 3 = 12 c 63 = 7 3
40 4 2
d 27 3 = 9 e ---------- = 10 f 1 --- = 1 ---
4 9 3
10 Simplify:
a 2 5+8 5 5 b 6 35 3+2 7 c 32 18 d 3 + 27

11 Write true or false.

a 10 + 10 = 20 b 12 3 = 3 c 9 58 5 = 1

12 Simplify:
a 2 85 8 b 4 82 6 c 32 7 d 3( 6 + 5)
2
e 5 2(3 5 2 2) f ( 10 + 5 ) ( 10 6 ) g ( 5 + 2 3)
LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 499 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1 499

13 Rationalise the denominator of:

1 2
a ------- b -----------
7 3 7
14 a Expand and simplify ( 5 + 2 ) ( 5 2 ) .
1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of -----------------
5+2
15 Write as a surd:
1 1 3 2
--- --- --- ---
3 6 2 3
a w b w c w d w

16 Write in index form:

4 3 2
a n b z c n

17 Evaluate:
1 3 4
--- --- ---
2 2 3
a 16 b 25 c 9261
3 1
18 Write as a fraction --- .
8

REVIEW SET 15D

1 Find, where possible:
a the square root of 81 b 81 c 81 d 81 e 0
a
2 Show that the following are rational numbers by expressing them in the form --- .
b
7
a 4 --- b 6 c 0.09 d 0. 2
8
3 Convert the following rational numbers to decimals.
13 5 3
a ---------- b 174% c --- d 3 ---
100 6 4
4 Determine whether the following real numbers are rational or irrational.
17 25
a 7 b 15 c 36 d ------ e ------
36 36
5 Simplify:
2 2
a ( 11 ) b ( 3 11 ) c 8 7 d 4 29 5

6 Express in simplest form:

a 12 b 48 c 2 18 d 21 3

7 Express in the form n:

a 6 2 b 3 3
 LEY_bk9_15_finalpps Page 500 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:08 PM

500 Surds and Indices (Chapter 15) Syllabus reference NS5.3.1

8 Simplify:
25 29 13 17
a ------ b ------ c 1 ------ d 1 ------
36 36 36 36
21 45 60
e ---------- f ---------- g ----------
3 5 5
9 Write true or false.
2
a 5 = 5 b 2 7 = 14 c 72 = 2 6
48 1 1
d 20 5 = 10 e ---------- = 6 f 6 --- = 2 ---
8 4 2
10 Simplify:
a 6 3+2 35 33 3 b 5 32 6+3 68 3 c 50 8 d 5 3 + 27

11 Write true or false.

a 1+ 5 = 6 b 20 10 = 10 c 2 11 11 = 1

12 Simplify:
a 5 72 7 b 2 15 3 3 c 72 3 d 2 ( 10 + 6 )
2
e 3 5(2 3 5) f ( 3 + 2 2)(2 3 2) g ( 5 + 3 7)

13 Rationalise the denominator of:

1 2 5
a ------- b -----------
3 5 3
14 a Expand and simplify ( 5 + 2 3 ) ( 5 2 3 ) .
1
b Hence rationalise the denominator of -------------------- .
52 3
15 Write as a surd:
1 1 5 5
--- --- --- ---
2 3 2 3
a z b z c z d z

16 Write in index form:

3 2 4 3
a y b y c y

17 Evaluate:
1 5 3
--- --- ---
3 2 4
a 8 b 4 c 1296
1
Write as a fraction 1 ---
1
18 .
2