In this weeks class, I learned when adding radicals together, you can simplify the equation by combining like terms together. This is similar to combining like terms in algebraic expressions.  

Here’s how it work 

1. Identify radicals: The way you can identify radicals with like terms is  by seeing if the radicand is the same 
2. Combine the coefficients: Add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms together 
3. Now for the last step keep the the root and the radicand the same 

Here is an example: 

Notice how the we got 4 even if there was no number in – root 3 that’s because there is an invisible one in front of it. Secondly do you see that 4 root 3 is not added with root 2 it’s because they don’t have the same radicand base (no like terms)

This concept can also be applied to other mathematical operations and expressions. For example, when multiplying or dividing radicals, you can simplify by multiplying or dividing the coefficients together and keeping the root and radicand unchanged. Another place you would most likely see this being used is when doing polynomial.