Simplifying
Simplify the expression , where one of the square roots must be simplified before the terms can be combined.
The two terms do not initially appear to be like radicals because their radicands ( and ) are different. Simplify by extracting its largest perfect square factor:
Now rewrite the original expression with the simplified radical:
Both terms contain , so they are like radicals. Combine the coefficients: .
This example illustrates that a radical expression which appears to contain unlike terms may actually contain like radicals once each square root has been simplified.
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Adding and Subtracting Like Radicals
Adding and Subtracting Square Roots that Need Simplification
Simplifying
Which pair of square roots are 'like' and can be combined by adding?
Match each square root expression with its simplified result.
Simplify: _____
Arrange the steps in order to simplify .
In , what coefficient does have when no number is written in front of it?
Simplify . Explain what happens to the coefficients and what happens to the radicand.
What makes two square roots "like," and how do you add or subtract them?
Which rule applies when adding or subtracting square roots?
True or False:
Simplify . What happens to the coefficients, and what happens to the radical part?
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Simplifying
Simplifying
Simplifying
Simplifying
Match each square root expression with its simplified form.
To simplify , factor out the largest _____ from the radicand.
How do you add like radicals, such as ?
True or False: Before adding and , you should simplify each radical to see if they become like radicals.
Put the steps in order to simplify .
After simplifying, two square roots are called "like radicals" when they share which feature?
Simplifying gives , and then 6 and 2 are multiplied to get . Which property justifies multiplying 6 and 2 together?
Learn After
A landscape architect is calculating the total length of two decorative stone borders for a garden path. The first border is \sqrt{20} meters long and the second is 3\sqrt{5} meters long. Which of the following represents the total length of the borders in simplified radical form?
A machinist is calculating the total length of two metal rods for a precision assembly. One rod measures centimeters and the other measures centimeters. Arrange the following steps in the correct order to simplify and combine these measurements into the final sum of centimeters.
A construction foreman is calculating the total length of two support beams. Beam A is feet long and Beam B is feet long. The total simplified length of both beams is ____ feet.
A plumbing contractor is calculating the total length of two copper pipes. One pipe is inches long and the other is $3\sqrt{5}inches long. True or False: These two measurements can be combined into a single total of \5\sqrt{5}\sqrt{20} is equivalent to $2\sqrt{5}.
A civil engineering technician is verifying structural measurements for a bridge reinforcement plan. The plan requires combining two lengths: decimeters and decimeters. To ensure the final report is accurate, match each component of the simplification process with its corresponding value or role.
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A maintenance technician is measuring two lengths of copper tubing for a repair. The first length is inches and the second length is inches. To simplify the first measurement so it can be added to the second, which perfect square factor of 20 must the technician recall?
A specialized technician is combining two lengths of material, centimeters and centimeters, for a structural repair. To add these together as 'like radicals,' the technician must simplify so that it has the same radicand as the second term. Which value represents this common radicand?
An electrical contractor needs to combine two wire lengths represented by the expression . Arrange the steps required to recall the simplification procedure and combine these measurements into a single radical expression in the correct order.