Algebra II : Simplifying Radicals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Radicals

Simplify the following equation:

Possible Answers:

Cannot simplify further

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying, you should always be on the lookout for like terms. While it might not look like there are like terms in , there are -- we just have to be able to rewrite it to see.

Before we start combining terms, though, let's look a little more closely at this part:

We need to "distribute" that exponent to everything in the parentheses, like so:

But 4 to the one-half power is just the square root of 4, or 2.

Okay, now let's see our equation.

We need to start combining like terms. Take the terms that include x to the one-half power first.

Now take the terms that have x to the one-third power.

All that's left is to write them in order of descending exponents, then convert the fractional exponents into radicals (since that's what our answer choices look like).

Example Question #1 : Adding And Subtracting Radicals

Simplify. 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can simplify both radicals:

             and              

 

Plug in the simplified radicals into the equation:

which leaves us with: 

 

Because these are not like terms, we cannot simplify this further.

Example Question #1 : Adding And Subtracting Radicals

Simplify. 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Only the first two radicals can be simplified: 

      and    

Plug in the simplified radicals into the equation: 

We can now simplify the equation by combining the like terms: 

Example Question #2 : Adding And Subtracting Radicals

Simplify. 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can simplify the first and third radicals:

       and   

 

Plug in the simplified radicals into the equation:

 

Combine the like terms: 

Example Question #1 : How To Add Integers

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

 

 

Example Question #5 : Adding And Subtracting Radicals

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The third root of  is 

and when added to the square root of 64, which is 8, you should get 11.  

Example Question #1 : Adding And Subtracting Radicals

Solve.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding and subtracting radicals, make the sure radicand or inside the square root are the same.

If they are the same, just add the numbers in front of the radical.

Since they are not the same, the answer is just the problem stated. 

Example Question #1381 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Solve.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding and subtracting radicals, make the sure radicand or inside the square root are the same.

If they are the same, just add the numbers in front of the radical.

Since they are not the same, the answer is just the problem stated. 

Example Question #151 : Radicals

Solve.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding and subtracting radicals, make the sure radicand or inside the square root are the same.

If they are the same, just add the numbers in front of the radical.

Looking carefully at the radicand we will notice that each radicand is a perfect sqare. This means we are able to reduce the radical into an integer.

  and  are all sqaure numbers so instead we have a simple algebraic problem: 

 which the answer is .

Example Question #152 : Radicals

Solve.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding and subtracting radicals, make the sure radicand or inside the square root are the same.

If they are the same, just add the numbers in front of the radical.

Looking carefully at the radicand we will see that each radicand is a perfect square. Therefore, we are able to reduce all of the radicals into simple integers.

  and  are all sqaure numbers so instead we have a simple algebraic problem: 

 which the answer is .

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