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Definition

Simplified Square Root

A square root a\sqrt{a} is considered simplified when the radicand aa contains no perfect square factors (other than 11). In other words, after examining all the factors of the number under the radical sign, none of them should be a perfect square. If any perfect square factor is present, the square root can be reduced further and is not yet in simplified form.

For example, 31\sqrt{31} is already simplified because 3131 is prime — its only factors are 11 and 3131, and neither (apart from 11) is a perfect square. In contrast, 32\sqrt{32} is not simplified because 32=16×232 = 16 \times 2, and 1616 is a perfect square (42=164^2 = 16). Since the radicand 3232 has 1616 as a perfect square factor, the expression can be simplified further.

Simplifying a square root before estimating its value is especially helpful for larger numbers. For small radicands like 5050, it is straightforward to estimate that 50\sqrt{50} lies between 77 and 88. But for a number like 500500, simplifying the square root first makes estimation much easier.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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