Algebra II : Adding and Subtracting Radicals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Simplifying Radicals

Add the radicals, if possible:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Simplify all the radicals to their simplest forms. Use the perfect squares as the factors.

Add the like terms together.

The answer is:  

Example Question #91 : Simplifying Radicals

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Simplify each radical first.

Now, subtract those:

Example Question #1431 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Add the radicals, if possible:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite the radicals using common factors of perfect squares.

The equation becomes:

Combine like-terms.

The answer is:  

Example Question #101 : Simplifying Radicals

Add the radicals, if possible:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Evaluate each square root by factoring each with factors of perfect squares.

Replace all the terms in the expression.

 

The answer is:  

Example Question #1433 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Add the radicals, if possible:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Every radical in this expression is simplified except .

Simplify by rewriting this radical using factors of perfect squares.

Replace the term.

Combine like-terms.

The answer is:  

Example Question #56 : Adding And Subtracting Radicals

Simplify the expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Simplify each of the three square root terms separately. Simplify  first as follows:

Express radicand 72 as the product of its prime factors:

Look for any prime factors that appear twice; there are two, 2 and 3, so restate the radical as

By the Product of Radicals Property, we can restate this as

The second term, , can be simplified similarly:

so

 

The third term, , is already simplified, as 2 is prime. 

Therefore, 

 

can be rewritten, and simplified using distribution:

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors