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Example

Simplifying 48p73p3\sqrt{\frac{48p^7}{3p^3}}

Simplify a square root whose radicand is a fraction containing both a numerical coefficient and a variable, by simplifying the fraction under the radical first.

48p73p3\sqrt{\frac{48p^7}{3p^3}}

Step 1 — Simplify the fraction inside the radical. Divide the coefficients: 483=16\frac{48}{3} = 16. Apply the Quotient Property for Exponents to the variable: p7p3=p73=p4\frac{p^7}{p^3} = p^{7-3} = p^4. The expression under the radical becomes 16p416p^4:

48p73p3=16p4\sqrt{\frac{48p^7}{3p^3}} = \sqrt{16p^4}

Step 2 — Simplify. Since (4p2)2=16p4(4p^2)^2 = 16p^4:

16p4=4p2\sqrt{16p^4} = 4p^2

The result is 4p24p^2. This example combines coefficient division with the Quotient Property for Exponents to reduce a complex fraction under the radical to a single perfect square expression. After simplification, the radicand 16p416p^4 has a perfect square coefficient (16=4216 = 4^2) and an even exponent on the variable, so the square root evaluates cleanly.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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