1.2 Learn Basic Properties and Operations
1.2 Learn Basic Properties and Operations
Completion requirements
This lesson will help you learn the basic properties and rules that govern math problem-solving.
Radicals
In algebra, answers should be written in simplest form. We can simplify a square root by looking for perfect square factors of the number inside the bracket.
Example
Simplify $$\sqrt {75} $$.
$$\sqrt {75} = \sqrt {25} \,\cdot \,\sqrt 3 $$ | The first step is to write factors for 75 using at least one perfect square. 25 is a perfect square because $${5^2} = 25$$. |
$$\sqrt {25} \,\cdot \,\sqrt 3 = 5\sqrt 3 $$ | Find the square root of 25 and write this number in front of the remaining factor $$\sqrt 3$$. |
AnswerIn simplest form, $$\sqrt {75} = 5\sqrt 3 $$.
Sometimes you can factor a number with more than one perfect square factor.
Example
Simplify $$\sqrt {72} $$.
$$\sqrt {72} = \sqrt 9 \,\cdot \,\sqrt 4 \,\cdot \,\sqrt 2 $$ | If you didn’t notice that 36 is a factor of 72, you can factor 72 using perfect squares 9 and 4. |
$$\begin{array}{c}\sqrt 9 \,\cdot \,\sqrt 4 \,\cdot \,\sqrt 2 \\ = \,\,3\,\cdot \,2\,\cdot \,\sqrt 2 \\ = 6\sqrt 2 \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\end{array}$$ | Multiply the square roots of 9 and 4. Write the product 6 in front of $$\sqrt 2 $$ to show that $$\sqrt 2 $$ is multiplied by 6. |
AnswerIn simplest form, $$\sqrt {72} = 6\sqrt 2 $$.