1. Lesson 2

1.10. Lesson 2 Summary

Mathematics 20-1 Module 5

Module 5: Radicals

 

Lesson 2 Summary

 

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In this lesson you investigated the following questions:

  • How do you simplify a complex radical by correctly performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or division?
  • For what values of the variable is a given radical expression defined?

You refreshed your knowledge about how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide radicals. You learned that radicals can only be added or subtracted if they are like terms.

 

You also learned that radicals have to have the same index to be multiplied. When multiplying radicals, you multiply the coefficients, and then you multiply the radicands. If the index is an even number, the radicands must not have a negative value.

 

You found that radicals have to have the same index to be divided. When dividing radicals, you first divide the coefficients, and then you divide the radicands. Divisors cannot have a value of zero. If the index is an even number, the radicands must not be negative.

 

You used this knowledge to simplify various radical expressions, including removing roots from under the radical sign where possible.

 

In the next lesson you will simplify fractional radicals further by learning to write these radicals without a radical in the denominator. You will apply the commutative principle to radicals.