18/12/2021, 10:07 Simplifying Surds - GCSE Maths - Steps, Examples & Worksheet

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GCSE Maths Number Surds Simplifying surds

Simplifying Surds

Here we will learn about simplifying surds for GCSE maths including the definition
of a surd, the rules of surds, and how to write surds in their simplest form.

There are also simplifying surds worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam
questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is simplifying surds?

Simplifying surds is where we rewrite a surd in its simplest form by ensuring the
number underneath the root sign (this number is called the radicand) has no square
numbers as factors. We make the number as small as possible by extracting square
factors from underneath the root sign.

We can use the three important laws of surds, which can be derived from the laws
of indices (powers) to help us to simplify surds:

√m × √n = √mn

m
√m ÷ √n = √
n

√m × √m = m

E.g.

√20 = √4 × 5

= √4 × √5

= 2 × √5

= 2√5

What is simplifying surds?

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How to simplify surds

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In order to simplify a surd:
1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.

2Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another number,
then evaluate the root of the square number.

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.

How to simplify surds

Simplifying surds worksheet

Get your free simplifying surds worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied
questions.

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Simplifying surds examples

Example 1: A simple integer

Simplify:

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√8

1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.
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Square numbers are 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, …

4 is a factor of 8 (because 4 × 2 = 8).

2 Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another number,
then evaluate the root of the square number.

√8 = √4 × 2

= √4 × √2

= 2 × √2

= 2√2

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.

In this case, there are no square numbers that are factors of 2, so the surd is fully
simplified.

√8 = 2√2

Example 2: A simple integer

Simplify:

√45

1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.
Show step

2 Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another

number, then evaluate the root of the square number.
Show step

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.
Show step

Example 3: A larger integer

Simplify:

√240

1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.
Show step

2 Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another

number, then evaluate the root of the square number.
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Show step

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.
 Show step

Example 4: A larger integer

Simplify:

√108

1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.
Show step

2 Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another

number, then evaluate the root of the square number.
Show step

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.
Show step

Example 5: Strategies for very large integers

Simplify:

√720

1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.
Show step

2 Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another

number, then evaluate the root of the square number.
Show step

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.
Show step

The prime factor tree method for larger numbers

This is an alternative method for simplifying surds that is very effective for larger
numbers. It is similar to, and based on, prime factor trees.
1 Find any factor pair of the radicand – like a prime factor tree.
Show step

2 Continue like a prime factor tree, until the numbers under the
square root signs are either primes or squares.
Show step

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3 Beginning with the square numbers, write out as a product as you

would with a prime factor tree. Then simplify the answer.
Show step

Example 6: A partially simplified surd expression

Simplify:

3 × 4√54

Remember that this means

3 × 4 × √54

Or

12 × √54

So all we need to do is deal with the root 54 as with the previous examples.
1 Find a square number that is a factor of the number under the root.
Show step

2 Rewrite the surd as a product of this square number and another

number, then evaluate the root of the square number.
Show step

3 Repeat if the number under the root still has square factors.
Show step

Common misconceptions
Incorrectly rewriting the number under the square root sign (the radicand) as
a product of any two factors
One of these factors must be a square number in order for you to be able to simplify
the surd.
Not simplifying fully
Always check that there are no square factors of the number under the root.

Related lessons
Simplifying surds is part of our series of lessons to support revision on surds. You
may find it helpful to start with the main surds lesson for a summary of what to
expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics.
Other lessons in this series include:
Surds 

Adding and subtracting surds 

Rationalise the denominator 

Rationalising surds 

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Multiplying and dividing surds 

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Practice simplifying surds questions

1. Simplify: 9 ​

3 ​

81

2. Simplify: 20 ​

2 10 ​

4 5 ​

5 4 ​

2 5 ​

3. Simplify: 15 ​

3 5 ​

2 15 ​

sqrt15

5 3 ​

4. Simplify: 150 ​

6 5 ​

150 ​

10 15 ​

5 6 ​

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5. Simplify: 368 ​

4 23 ​

4 92 ​

2 23 ​

2 92 ​

6. Simplify: 3 280 ​

12 70 ​

6 70 ​

6 140 ​

9 140 ​

Simplifying surds GCSE questions

1. Simplify
Show answ

84 ​

 
(2 marks)

2. Simplify fully
Show answ

540 ​

 
(2 marks)

3. 912 = 4 k
​ ​
Show answ

where k is an integer. Find the value of k .

 
(2 marks)

4. Simplify fully
Show answ

5 80 ​

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(2 marks)

Learning checklist
You have now learned how to:
Identify a surd as an irrational root

Simplify surds

The next lessons are

Recurring decimals to fractions 

Comparing fractions, decimals and percentages 

Square numbers and square roots 

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In order to access this I need to be confident with:

Square numbers
Factors of a number

This topic is relevant for:

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