Table of Contents |
There are several properties of radicals we can apply to simplify expressions involving radicals. The following properties are generally true whenever n is greater than 1, and and b are both positive real numbers:
Avoid these common errors when applying properties of radicals:
When we recognize products, quotients, and powers with radicals, we can apply the properties of radicals to simplify the expression.
EXAMPLE
Use Product Property of Radicals | |
Evaluate: | |
Simplify | |
Our Solution |
EXAMPLE
Use Quotient Property of Radicals | |
One factor of x cancels; one factor of y cancels | |
Separate into two separate fractions | |
Use Product Property of Radicals | |
Use Quotient Property of Radicals and | |
Simplify | |
Our Solution |
Source: ADAPTED FROM "BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA" BY TYLER WALLACE, AN OPEN SOURCE TEXTBOOK AVAILABLE AT www.wallace.ccfaculty.org/book/book.html. License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License