Radicals

Radicals are a different form of exponentials. However, we will discuss and deal with
them separately. We will discuss simplification of radicals, addition, subtraction,
division, and multiplication. We will assume the root for the radicals being discussed
are square roots.

Simplification of Radicals
Approach
1. Identify the value and the root of the radical.
a. In most cases the root will be 2 or as it is more commonly known a square
root. If a root is not specified the root is a square root. The number we
are attempting to determine the root will be under the radical sign.
𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕
e.g. √𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓
2. When simplifying radicals, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
a. Is the number a perfect square?
i. If the answer is yes, the root is simply a number that when
multiplied by itself gives you the number inside of the radical
sign.
ii. If the number inside the radical is not a square we determine the
factors of the number. Unlike simplifying fractions, we determine
the factors in pairs. We are looking for a pair of numbers where
one of the number is a perfect square. After determining the pair
with one of the numbers being a perfect square, replace the
number inside of the radical sign with these two numbers and
separate the numbers with the multiplication operation. The next
step is placing the two numbers in separate radical signs
separated by the multiplication operation. Determine the square
root of the perfect square radical. Before simplifying your answer,
you need to determine that the non-perfect square number does
not have a pair of factors with one of them being a perfect square.
If there is a pair of factors with a perfect square repeat the
previous steps. Write your answer in its simplest form. Please see
example below.
iii. If none of the numbers has a perfect square the radical is in its
simplest form.

Page 1 of 19
 Example 1
𝟐
√𝟔𝟒
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root is 2 and the number inside of the radical is
64.
Step 2
64 is a perfect square.
What number multiplied by itself gives you 64? 8 x 8 =64 therefore, the square root
of 64 is 8.
𝟐
√𝟔𝟒 = 𝟖

Example 2

√𝟏𝟐
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root is 2 and the number inside of the radical is
12.
Step 2
12 is not a perfect square
We list the factor pairs of 12:
(1,12), (2,6), (3,4)
4 is a perfect square so we replace 12 with 4 x 3

√12 = √4 𝑋 3
We then split the radical into two. This is allowed when the operation inside of the
radical is multiplication or division

√4 𝑋 3 = √4 𝑋 √3

√4 = 2
The factors of 3 are (1,3). There are no perfect squares therefore the radical is in its
lowest form.

√12 = 2 𝑋 √3 = 2√3

Page 2 of 19
 Example 3

√𝟐𝟐
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root is 2 and the number inside of the radical is
22.
Step 2
22 is not a perfect square
We list the factor pairs of 22:
(1,22), (2,11)
None of the factors listed are perfect squares therefore:

√22 = √22

Page 3 of 19
 Example 4

√𝟑𝟐
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root is 2 and the number inside of the radical is
32.
Step 2
32 is not a perfect square
We list the factor pairs of 32: (1,32), (2,16), (4,8)
16 and 4 are perfect squares. We can utilize either perfect square pair. We will utilize
(4,8):

√32 = √4 𝑋 8
We then split the radical into two. This is allowed when the operation inside of the
radical is multiplication or division

√4 𝑋 8 = √4 𝑋 √8

√4 = 2
The factors of 8 are (1,8), (2,4). 4 is a perfect square so we replace 8 with 2 X 4

2 X √8 = 2 X √2 𝑋 4 = 2 X √2 𝑋 √4 = 2 X √2 X 2

2 X 2 X √2

4 X √𝟐 = 4√𝟐

Page 4 of 19
Addition & Subtraction of Radicals
Approach
1. Identify the operation, root and number of the radicals.
a. If the numbers inside the radicals are the same perform the operation.
i. You should think of the radical as having a number of them. 1√2
or √2 is considered to be 1 radical of two. Similarly, 2√3 is
considered two radicals of 3.
ii. If the number inside of the radical sign is the same add the
number on the outside. In the final answer the number inside of
the radical remains the same.
iii. As always once you have added or subtracted the numbers check
the number inside of the radical to ensure it is in its simplest
form.
b. If the numbers inside of the radical are different you should try to
simplify the radicals individually first.
i. Once the radicals have been simplified check once again to see if
the numbers inside the radicals are the same. If they are the same
perform step 1. If the numbers are the same and the radicals are
not the same but they are also in their simplest form the answer
is simply the two radicals with the addition or subtraction
operation between them.

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 Example 1

√𝟑 + √𝟑
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
both of the radicals is 3.
The number inside the radicals are the same therefore you perform addition or
subtraction on the radicals.
If the radical doesn’t have a non-root number on the outside you can assume it is 1.
In this case we have 1 radical 3 plus 1 radical 3.

√𝟑 + √𝟑 = 𝟏√𝟑 + 𝟏√𝟑 = 𝟐√𝟑

The inside the radical has no perfect squares as factors of the number therefore it is
in its simplest form.

Example 2

√𝟓 − √𝟓
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
both of the radicals is 5.
The number inside the radicals are the same therefore you perform addition or
subtraction on the radicals.
If the radical doesn’t have a non-root number on the outside you can assume it is 1.
In this case we have 1 radical 5 plus 1 radical 5.

√𝟓 − √𝟓 = 𝟏√𝟓 − 𝟏√𝟓 = 𝟎√𝟓 = 0

Page 6 of 19
 Example 3

𝟔√𝟕 + 𝟑√𝟕
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
both of the radicals is 7. The number on the outside of the radical is not important
when determining whether we can perform addition or subtraction
The number inside the radicals are the same therefore you perform addition or
subtraction on the radicals.
If the radical doesn’t have a non-root number on the outside you can assume it is 1.
In this case we have 6 radical 7 plus 3 radical 7.

𝟔√𝟕 + 𝟑√𝟕 = (6+3)√𝟕 = 9√𝟕

The inside the radical has no perfect squares as factors of the number therefore it is
in its simplest form.

Example 4

𝟔√𝟏𝟑 − 𝟑√𝟏𝟑
Step 1
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
both of the radicals is 13. The number on the outside of the radical is not important
when determining whether we can perform addition or subtraction
The number inside the radicals are the same therefore you perform addition or
subtraction on the radicals.
If the radical doesn’t have a non-root number on the outside you can assume it is 1.
In this case we have 6 radical 13 minus 3 radical 13.

𝟔√𝟏𝟑 − 𝟑√𝟏𝟑 = (6-3)𝟏𝟑 = 3√𝟑

The inside the radical has no perfect squares as factors of the number therefore it is
in its simplest form.

Page 7 of 19
 Example 5

√𝟏𝟐 + 𝟓√𝟑
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
the first radical is 12 and the radical inside the second radical is 3. The number on
the outside of the radical is not important when determining whether we can perform
addition or subtraction
The number inside the radicals are not the same so we attempt to simplify the
radicals.
12 is not a perfect square.
We list the factor pairs of 12: (1,12), (2,6), (3,4)

4 is a perfect square. We will utilize (3,4):

√12 = √3 𝑋 4
We then split the radical into two. This is allowed when the operation inside of the
radical is multiplication or division

√3𝑋 4 = √3 𝑋 √4

√4 = 2

√3𝑋 4 = 2√3

𝟐√𝟑 + 𝟓√𝟑
The number inside the radicals are the same therefore you perform addition or
subtraction on the radicals.
If the radical doesn’t have a non-root number on the outside you can assume it is 1.
In this case we have 2 radical 3 plus 5radical 3.

𝟐√𝟑 + 𝟓√𝟑 = (2+5)√𝟑 =7√𝟑

Page 8 of 19
 Example 6

√𝟏𝟔 + 𝟓√𝟑
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
the first radical is 16 and the radical inside the second radical is 3. The number on
the outside of the radical is not important when determining whether we can perform
addition or subtraction
The number inside the radicals are not the same so we attempt to simplify the
radicals.
16 is a perfect square.
We simplify radical 16:

√16 = 4

𝟒 + 𝟓√𝟑
4 is not a radical and 3 has no perfect squares there the expression is in its simplest
form.
Example 7

𝟐√𝟕 + 𝟓√𝟑
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
the first radical is 7 and the radical inside the second radical is 3. The number on the
outside of the radical is not important when determining whether we can perform
addition or subtraction
The number inside the radicals are not the same so we attempt to simplify the
radicals.
7 and 3 have no perfect square factors and they aren’t the same therefore this
expression is in its simplest form.

𝟐√𝟕 + 𝟓√𝟑 = 𝟐√𝟕 + 𝟓√𝟑

Page 9 of 19
 Example 8

√𝟒𝟖 + 𝟐√𝟐𝟕
Identify the root and number. The root of both radicals is 2 and the number inside
the first radical is 48 and the radical inside the second radical is27. The number on
the outside of the radical is not important when determining whether we can perform
addition or subtraction
The number inside the radicals are not the same so we attempt to simplify the
radicals.
48 is not a perfect square.
We list the factor pairs of 48: (1,48), (2,24), (3,16), (4,12) (6,8)
4 and 16 are perfect squares. We can utilize either but in this case we will use 16. We
will utilize (3,16):

√48 = √3 𝑋 16
We then split the radical into two. This is allowed when the operation inside of the
radical is multiplication or division

√3𝑋 16 = √3 𝑋 √16

√16 = 4

√3𝑋 16 = 4√3

𝟒√𝟑 + 𝟐√𝟐𝟕
The number inside the radicals are not the same so we attempt to simplify the second
radical.
The number inside the radicals are not the same so we attempt to simplify the
radicals.
27 is not a perfect square.
We list the factor pairs of 27: (1,27), (3,9)
9 is a perfect square. We will utilize (3,9):

2√27 = √3 𝑋 9
We then split the radical into two. This is allowed when the operation inside of the
radical is multiplication or division

2√3𝑋 9 = (2)√3 𝑋 √9

Page 10 of 19
 √9 = 3

2√3𝑋 9 = (2)(3)√3 = 6√3

𝟒√𝟑 + 𝟔√𝟑

If the radical doesn’t have a non-root number on the outside you can assume it is 1.
In this case we have 4 radical 3 plus 6 radical 3.

𝟒√𝟑 + 𝟔√𝟑 = (4+6)√𝟑 =10√𝟑

Page 11 of 19
Multiplication of Fractions
Approach
2. Identify the type of fraction and the operation.
a. The fractions can either be a proper fraction, improper fraction, or a
mixed number.
b. The operation will either be addition, subtraction, division,
multiplication or exponential/radicals.
3. Once the operation has been identified as multiplication we must consider a
number of factors
a. If one or both of the fractions are proper fractions or improper fractions
we compare the 2 numerator numbers to the two denominator numbers:
i. If one of the numerators and denominators have a common factor
divide the two numbers by this factor. You need to continue
checking the numerators and denominators to ensure they are in
their lowest form then perform the multiplication operation.
ii. After multiplying the numerator by the numerator and
denominator by the denominator, perform one final check
to ensure your answer is in its simplest form, and the
numerator and denominator have no common factors with
the exception of 1.
b. If one or both of the fractions are mixed numbers first they must be
transformed into an improper fraction.
i. Once the conversion is complete we utilize the methods previously
discussed in part a.

Page 12 of 19
 Example 1
𝟒 𝟐
𝑿
𝟖 𝟑
Step 1
Identify the type of fraction and operation
Both fractions are proper fractions and the operation is multiplication (X)

Step 2
Compare the numerators to the denominators. The numerator have the following
factors:
4: 1, 2, 4
2: 1, 2
The denominators have the following factors:
8: 1, 2, 4, 8
3: 1, 3
If the numerators and the denominators have any common factors you can reduce the
value of that numerator and denominator by utilizing the factor. If a factor appears
in multiple list you can choose which numerator and denominator to simplify.
𝟒÷𝟒 𝟐
𝑿
𝟖÷𝟒 𝟑
A final check is performed to ensure that the equations fraction are in their simplest
form
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐
𝑿 =
𝟐 𝟑 𝟔

Page 13 of 19
 Example 2
𝟕 𝟓
𝑿
𝟓 𝟐

Step 1
Identify the type of fraction and operation
Both fractions are improper fractions and the operation is multiplication (X)

Step 2
Compare the numerators to the denominators. The numerator have the following
factors:
7: 1, 7 (Prime Number)
5: 1, 5 (Prime Number)
The denominators have the following factors:
5: 1, 5 (Prime Number)
2: 1, 2 (Prime Number)
If the numerators and the denominators have any common factors you can reduce the
value of that numerator and denominator by utilizing the factor. If a factor appears
in multiple list you can choose which numerator and denominator to simplify.
𝟕 𝟓÷𝟓
𝑿
𝟓÷𝟓 𝟐
A final check is performed to ensure that the equations fraction are in their simplest
form
𝟕 𝟏 𝟕
𝑿 =
𝟏 𝟐 𝟐
The answer is an improper fraction and should be converted into a mix
number. A final check of the fraction part must be done to ensure it is in its
simplest form.
𝟕 𝟏
=𝟑
𝟐 𝟐

Page 14 of 19
 Example 3
𝟏 𝟑
𝟗 𝑿 𝟓
𝟕 𝟒

Step 1
Identify the type of fraction and operation
Both fractions are mixed numbers and the operation is multiplication (X)
Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions
𝟏 𝟗 𝒙 𝟕+𝟏 𝟔𝟒 𝟑 𝟓 𝒙 𝟒+𝟑 𝟐𝟑
𝟗 = = 𝟓 = =
𝟕 𝟕 𝟕 𝟒 𝟒 𝟒
𝟔𝟒 𝟐𝟑
𝑿
𝟕 𝟒

Step 2
Compare the numerators to the denominators. The numerator have the following
factors:
64: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
7: 1, 7 (Prime Number)
The denominators have the following factors:
23: 1, 23 (Prime Number)
4: 1, 2, 4
If the numerators and the denominators have any common factors you can reduce the
value of that numerator and denominator by utilizing the factor. If a factor appears
in multiple list you can choose which numerator and denominator to simplify.
𝟔𝟒 ÷ 𝟒 𝟐𝟑
𝑿
𝟕 𝟒 ÷𝟒
A final check is performed to ensure that the equations fraction are in their simplest
form
𝟏𝟔 𝟐𝟑 𝟑𝟔𝟖
𝑿 =
𝟕 𝟏 𝟕
The answer is an improper fraction and should be converted into a mix number. A
final check of the fraction part must be done to ensure it is in its simplest form.
𝟑𝟔𝟖 𝟒
= 𝟓𝟐
𝟕 𝟕
Page 15 of 19
Division of Fractions
Approach
1. Identify the type of fraction and the operation.
a. The fractions can either be a proper fraction, improper fraction, or a
mixed number.
b. The operation will either be addition, subtraction, division,
multiplication or exponential/radicals.
2. Once the operation has been identified as division we must consider a number
of factors
a. Division is similar to multiplication with one additional step.
When the operation is division in order to perform work on it
we need to first change the operation from division to
multiplication and change (the second fraction)/(the fraction
following the division signs); the numerator of this fraction is
now the denominator and the denominator now becomes the
numerator. This is more commonly known as inversing the
fraction. Once this is completed with simply follow the approach
outlined for multiplication
b. If one or both of the fractions are proper fractions or improper fractions
we compare the 2 numerator numbers to the two denominator numbers:
i. If one of the numerators and denominators have a common factor
divide the two numbers by this factor. You need to continue
checking the numerators and denominators to ensure they are in
their lowest form then perform the multiplication operation.
ii. After multiplying the numerator by the numerator and
denominator by the denominator, perform one final check
to ensure your answer is in its simplest form, and the
numerator and denominator have no common factors with
the exception of 1. The reason we are able to perform this
conversion is mathematically division is the inverse
operation of multiplication.
c. If one or both of the fractions are mixed numbers first they must be
transformed into an improper fraction.
i. Once the conversion is complete we utilize the methods previously
discussed in part a, and b.

Page 16 of 19
 Example 1
𝟒 𝟐
÷
𝟖 𝟑
Step 1
Identify the type of fraction and operation
Both fractions are proper fractions and the operation is division (÷)
Step 2

𝟒 𝟐 𝟒 𝟑
÷ = 𝑿
𝟖 𝟑 𝟖 𝟐

Step 3
Compare the numerators to the denominators. The numerator have the following
factors:
4: 1, 2, 4
3: 1, 3
The denominators have the following factors:
8: 1, 2, 4, 8
2: 1, 2
If the numerators and the denominators have any common factors you can reduce the
value of that numerator and denominator by utilizing the factor. If a factor appears
in multiple list you can choose which numerator and denominator to simplify.
𝟒÷𝟒 𝟑
𝑿
𝟖÷𝟒 𝟐
A final check is performed to ensure that the equations fraction are in their simplest
form
𝟏 𝟑 𝟑
𝑿 =
𝟐 𝟐 𝟒

Page 17 of 19
 Example 2
𝟕 𝟓
÷
𝟓 𝟐

Step 1
Identify the type of fraction and operation
Both fractions are improper fractions and the operation is division (÷)
Step 2

𝟕 𝟓 𝟕 𝟐
÷ = 𝑿
𝟓 𝟐 𝟓 𝟓

Step 3
Compare the numerators to the denominators. The numerator have the following
factors:
7: 1, 7 (Prime Number)
2: 1, 2 (Prime Number)
The denominators have the following factors:
5: 1, 5 (Prime Number)
If the numerators and the denominators have any common factors you can reduce the
value of that numerator and denominator by utilizing the factor. If a factor appears
in multiple list you can choose which numerator and denominator to simplify. No
numerator factors have appeared in the denominator factor list except for 1. The
fractions are in their lowest form so we simply perform multiplication
𝟕 𝟐 𝟏𝟒
𝑿 =
𝟓 𝟓 𝟐𝟓
A final check is performed to ensure that the equations fraction are in their simplest
form
𝟏𝟒
𝟐𝟓

Page 18 of 19
 Example 3
𝟑 𝟑
𝟔 ÷ 𝟑
𝟕 𝟒

Step 1
Identify the type of fraction and operation
Both fractions are mixed numbers and the operation is division (÷)
Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions
𝟑 𝟔 𝒙 𝟕+𝟑 𝟒𝟓 𝟑 𝟓𝟑𝒙 𝟒+𝟑 𝟏𝟓
𝟔 = = 𝟑 = =
𝟕 𝟕 𝟕 𝟒 𝟒 𝟒
𝟒𝟓 𝟏𝟓 𝟒𝟓 𝟒
÷ = 𝑿
𝟕 𝟒 𝟕 𝟏𝟓

Step 2
Compare the numerators to the denominators. The numerator have the following
factors:
45: 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 45
4: 1, 2, 4
The denominators have the following factors:
7: 1, 7 (Prime Number)
15: 1, 3, 5, 15
If the numerators and the denominators have any common factors you can reduce the
value of that numerator and denominator by utilizing the factor. If a factor appears
in multiple list you can choose which numerator and denominator to simplify.
𝟒𝟓 ÷ 𝟏𝟓 𝟒
𝑿
𝟕 𝟏𝟓 ÷ 𝟏𝟓
A final check is performed to ensure that the equations fraction are in their simplest
form
𝟑 𝟒 𝟏𝟐
𝑿 =
𝟕 𝟏 𝟕
The answer is an improper fraction and should be converted into a mix number. A
final check of the fraction part must be done to ensure it is in its simplest form.
𝟏𝟐 𝟓
=𝟏
𝟕 𝟕

Page 19 of 19