Simplifying Radicals
Math I
Working on the roots...
Break it down...
When you are asked to simplify a radical, remember to break the radicand--the term under radical symbol--down into all of its prime factors.
Group the like terms...
Now that we have only prime factors, we can group the same factors by the index--the superscript number right outside the radical.
So for our example, our index is 3 so we need to circle each trio of a factor so that we can take the cube root. Remember if no index is listed, then it is a 2 or square root.
The Escape
Each circled group is released from the radical, but remember to only write one factor outside the radical from each group that escaped. (For ours, one 3, one x, one y, & one y.) The factors that weren't in a grouping remain inside the radical.
Regroup outside
Multiply the factors outside the radical back together. Lastly, multiply the factors inside the radical back together.
It's simplified!
We're done!
Mrs. Willatt can help
Feel free to ask for help. I'm available on BBIM Monday through Friday... or you can message me on BB... or you can contact me via my cell.
Email: messageme@blackboard.pls
Website: ncvps.blackboard.com