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Square Roots

The document provides an overview of square roots, including their definition, properties, and simplification techniques. It explains the product and quotient properties of square roots, as well as rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing square roots. Additionally, it covers rationalizing the denominator and the treatment of variables with even and odd exponents.

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konkati sandeepkumar
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35 views2 pages

Square Roots

The document provides an overview of square roots, including their definition, properties, and simplification techniques. It explains the product and quotient properties of square roots, as well as rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing square roots. Additionally, it covers rationalizing the denominator and the treatment of variables with even and odd exponents.

Uploaded by

konkati sandeepkumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Square Roots

Basic Concepts
• When a number is multiplied by itself, the resulting product is a perfect square. 12 = 1
• Therefore, that number is the square root of the perfect square. 22 = 4
• The symbol for square root, √, called a radical sign, denotes the principal or 32 = 9
nonnegative square root. (Although a negative number multiplied by itself also 42 = 16
results in a positive perfect square, principal square roots are nonnegative by 52 = 25
definition.) 62 = 36
• The expression under the radical sign is called the radicand. 72 = 49
• Therefore: 25 = 5, 4 = 2, 100 = 10 82 = 64
92 = 81
• The square root of a negative number is not a real number. No number squared 102 = 100
equals a negative product. Example: √-25 has no real number solution. 112 = 121
However, − 25 = −5 , since the negative sign is outside the radical sign. 122 = 144
132 = 169
• A square root multiplied by itself is equal to the radicand. 4 • 4 = 2•2 = 4 142 = 196
152 = 225

Product Property of Square Roots


ab = a b
• Therefore , 4 • 25 = 100 = 10 and 4 25 = 2 • 5 = 10

Simplifying Square Roots

• When the radicand is not a perfect square and does not have a factor that is a perfect square, then it
is in simplest radical form and cannot be computed without a calculator.

• When the radicand is not a perfect square but has a factor that is a perfect square then it can be
simplified by finding the square root of the perfect square factor and leaving the remaining factor as
the radicand.
Example: 12 = 3 • 4 Since 4 is a perfect square, this can be simplified. 4 = 2 , therefore
the simplest radical form is 2 3 .

• Variables with even exponents are always perfect squares.


Example: x = x because x • x = x , x = x because x • x = x
2 2 6 3 3 3 6

To solve, find the two equal powers that add up to the exponent in the radicand.

• Variables with odd exponents are not perfect squares, but can be easily simplified.
Example: x = x • x = x x x = x • x=x x
3 2 11 10 5
,
If the exponent in the radicand is odd, then subtract 1 from it. Simplify the perfect square factor and
leave the remaining variable factor as the radicand.

Compliments of the Academic Learning Centers at Union County College.


Visit our website at www.ucc.edu/studentservices/alc for more information.
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Square Roots

Quotient Property of Square Roots and Rationalizing the Denominator


a a
= ,b ≠ 0
b b
100 100 10 5 5 5 Note that 5 cannot
• Example: = = =5 Example: = = be simplified
4 4 2 4 4 2
• Simplified radicals do not contain radicals in the denominator. In order to simplify, use a
process called rationalizing the denominator, whereby the numerator and denominator are both
multiplied by the radical denominator in order to eliminate it. Remember that a square root multiplied
by itself is equal to the radicand.
2 2 5 2 5
Example: To simplify, rationalize the denominator: • =
5 5 5 5

3 To rationalize a denominator with two terms, multiply by the conjugate


Example: by changing the sign of the second term. Conjugates multiply as the
4 + 11 difference of 2 squares, with the middle term dropping out.

3 4 − 11 3(4 − 11) 3(4 − 11) 3(4 − 11)


• = = =
4 + 11 4 − 11 16 − 4 11 + 4 11 − 11 16 − 11 5

Rules for working with square roots when adding, subtracting, multiplying and
dividing
• Simplify the square roots.
• Perform the indicated operations.
• Simplify the final answer.

Adding & Subtracting: Like square roots can be combined.


• 4 + 9 = 2+3 = 5
• 12 + 3 = 4 • 3 + 3 = 2 3 + 3 = 3 3
• 2 5− 5 = 5
• 20 − 5 = 4 • 5 − 5 = 2 5 − 5 = 5

Multiplying & Dividing: Use the product and quotient rules as outlined earlier. Unlike square roots can be
multiplied and divided. Simplify first, then perform the multiplication or division, simplify the answer.

• Examples: 16 36 = 4 • 6 = 24 , 6 24 = 144 = 12 , 3 5 = 15
72 48 16 • 3 4 3
• Examples: = 12 = 4 • 3 = 2 3 , = = =4
6 3 3 3
Compliments of the Academic Learning Centers at Union County College.
Visit our website at www.ucc.edu/studentservices/alc for more information.
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