1Cademy - Simplifying $$5\sqrt[3]{y} + 4\sqrt[3]{y}$$ and $$7\sqrt[4]{x}

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Adding and Subtracting Like Radicals

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Simplifying $5\sqrt[3]{y} + 4\sqrt[3]{y}$ and $7\sqrt[4]{x} - 2\sqrt[4]{y}$

Practice combining higher-order radical expressions by checking if they are like radicals. ⓐ $5\sqrt[3]{y} + 4\sqrt[3]{y} = 9\sqrt[3]{y}$ : These terms are like radicals because they share the same index ( $3$ ) and radicand ( $y$ ). Adding their coefficients ( $5 + 4 = 9$ ) while leaving the radical unchanged yields $9\sqrt[3]{y}$ . ⓑ $7\sqrt[4]{x} - 2\sqrt[4]{y}$ : Although both terms share an index of $4$ , their radicands ( $x$ and $y$ ) are different. Consequently, they are not like radicals and cannot be combined. The expression remains $7\sqrt[4]{x} - 2\sqrt[4]{y}$ .

Updated 2026-05-01

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OpenStax Intermediate Algebra

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