Concept

Multiplying Radicals

When multiplying two radicals, they must share the same index. By using the Product Property of nnth Roots in reverse, the radicands are placed under a single radical sign and their product is computed. If the radicals have numerical coefficients, the process resembles multiplying algebraic terms with coefficients (such as 4x3y=12xy4x \cdot 3y = 12xy): multiply the outside coefficients together and multiply the inside radicands together. For example, (axn)(byn)=abxyn(a\sqrt[n]{x})(b\sqrt[n]{y}) = ab\sqrt[n]{xy}. Once multiplied, always check the new radicand for factors that are a perfect power of the index and simplify the resulting radical whenever possible.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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Ch.8 Roots and Radicals - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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