Key Vocabs:

Like terms: terms whose variables and their exponents are the same (ex. and )

Index: the small floating number that appears after a number or letter. Indices show how many times a number or letter can be or has been multiplied (ex. & )

Radicand: a number or expression inside the radical symbol (ex. )

Variable: a letter representing an unknown number (ex. or )

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For the fourth week of Pre-Calc 11, our class learned how to add or subtract radical expressions and how to simplify radical expressions with variables. I decided to talk on how we can simplify radical expressions with variables. I chose to talk about this subject because sometimes when we come across equations with variables, our mind starts to panic as the equation looks complicated but in reality, it’s easier than it looks. So through this blog, I can reflect on the things I learned as well as teaching others who may think equations with variables can be complicated, but it’s really not.

ex1) 5 + 4 –  2

To begin, we notice that each radical has an index of 2 and a radicand of and . We then combine the like terms. 

In this case the only like terms are 5 + 4

5 + 4 – 2 = 9 – 2

 

ex2) + 2

Each radical has an index of 3 and the variables in the radicand are

We can simplify which equals to 3