Example

Simplifying 3xy4+53xy443xy4\sqrt[4]{3xy} + 5\sqrt[4]{3xy} - 4\sqrt[4]{3xy}

Simplify the expression 3xy4+53xy443xy4\sqrt[4]{3xy} + 5\sqrt[4]{3xy} - 4\sqrt[4]{3xy}, noticing that each term is a fourth root with the exact same multi-variable radicand, 3xy3xy. These are like radicals, and the first term carries an implicit coefficient of 11. Combining the coefficients (1+54=21 + 5 - 4 = 2) yields the simplified expression 23xy42\sqrt[4]{3xy}. This example highlights that standard rules for combining like radicals work smoothly even with multiple variables, provided the root index and all parts of the radicand are perfectly identical across the terms.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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