Lesson 4

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In physics, as in other sciences, calculations involving radicals are often used to explain observations and predict results, even for skydiving.

 

In Lesson 3 Josh used a simple method to add or subtract radicals. As long as the radicands and indices (the plural of index) were the same, he added or subtracted the coefficients but he never changed the radicands.

 

When multiplying and dividing radicals, you need to work with both the coefficients and the radicands. For example, when multiplying radicals, the indices must be the same. If they are the same, start by multiplying the coefficients and then multiply the radicands. You cannot simplify an expression by multiplying or dividing a square root by a cube root.

 

 

In previous math courses, you learned a number of rules for multiplying and dividing monomials, binomials, and polynomials. Those same rules apply to radicals, but remember that radicals must have the same indices to be multiplied or divided.