This week in PreCalc….

To multiply radicals, the index must be the same in each radical.

• Multiply numerical coefficients by numerical coefficients
• Multiply radicand by radicand
• simplify into mixed radical form if possible

it is usually easier to convert each radical to its simplest mixed form before multiplying

Addition and Subtraction:

• • To add or subtract radicals, the radicals must have the same index (root) and the same radicand (expression under the root).
  • Add or subtract the coefficients (numbers outside the radical) while keeping the radicand unchanged.

Multiplication:

1. • To multiply radicals, multiply the coefficients together and multiply the radicands together.
   • If the radicals have the same index, you can combine them under one radical.

Division:

1. • To divide radicals, divide the coefficients and divide the radicands.
   • Rationalize the denominator if necessary by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator.

Simplification:

• • Simplify radicals by finding perfect square factors in the radicand and taking them out of the radical.
  • Combine like terms under the radical if possible.
  • If there are no more perfect square factors, the radical is simplified.

 

Here are a few examples to illustrate these operations:

     

 

 

.   

I chose this topic because it’s very important that these concepts make sense to me. this week my post is lighter on words and more heave on examples, and this is because I am finding with this unit that I need to see it visually for it to make sense for me.

 

hope this helps 🙂