Multiplying & Dividing

Site: Clare
Course: Michigan Algebra I Sept. 2012
Book: Multiplying & Dividing
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Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 11:33 PM

Description

Multiplying

In order to multiply two or more radical expressions of the same degree, the expressions under the radical sign can be multiplied.

Product Property of Roots:multi_1

Example 1 What is the product of multi_2 ?

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Both terms have a degree of 3.

Step 2. Use the Product Property of Roots to multiply the terms.

multi_3

Example 2 What is the product of multi_4 ? Assume all variables are positive.

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Two terms have a degree of two and can be multiplied, the term with degree 3 will stay the same.

Step 2. Use the Product Property of Roots to multiply the terms with the same degree.

Examples with Simplifying

Example 3 Simplify ex_simp_1 , assume all variables are positive.

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Both terms have a degree of 3.

Step 2. Use the Product Property of Roots to multiply the terms.

ex_simp_2

Step 3. Simplify.

ex_simp_3

Example 4 Simplify ex_simp_4 , assume all variables are positive.

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Two terms have a degree of two and can be multiplied, the term with degree 4 will stay the same.

Step 2. Use the Product Property of Roots to multiply the terms with the same degree.

ex_simp_5

Step 3. Simplify.

ex_simp_6

Video Lesson

To learn how to multiply radical expressions, select the following link:

Multiplying Radical Expressions

Dividing

In order to divide radical expressions of the same degree, the expressions under the radical sign can be divided.

Quotient Property of Roots:dividing 1

Example 1 What is the quotient of dividing 2 ?

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Both terms have a degree of 3.

Step 2. Use the Quotient Property of Roots to divide the terms.

dividing 3

Examples with Simplifying

Example 2 Simplify ex_divide-1 .

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Both terms have a degree of 2.

Step 2. Use the Quotient Property of Roots to divide the terms.

ex_divide-2

Step 3. Simplify.

ex_divide-3

Example 3 Simplify ex_divide-4 .

Step 1. Verify the degree of the radicals are the same.

Both terms have a degree of 2.

Step 2. Use properties of Roots to create one radical expression (there are many different ways to approach this problem).

divide_step2

Step 3. Simplify.

Rationalizing the Denominator

Sometimes it is desirable to find an equivalent radical expression that does not contain radicals in the denominator. This process is called rationalizing the denominator. The goal is to make sure there are no radicals left in the denominator of the fraction. In order to do this, multiply the fraction by a fraction equal to one.

In order to understand the process of rationalizing a denominator, please select the following link to an on-line lesson and examples:

Rationalizing the Denominator Lesson

To learn how to rationalize the denominator, select the following link:

Rationalizing the Denominator Video Lesson


Guided Practice

To solidify your understanding of simplifying radicals, visit the following link to Holt, Rinehart and Winston Homework Help Online. It provides examples, video tutorials and interactive practice with answers available. The Practice and Problem Solving section has two parts. The first part offers practice with a complete video explanation for the type of problem with just a click of the video icon. The second part offers practice with the solution for each problem only a click of the light bulb away.

Guided Practice

Practice

Multiplying and Dividing Radicals Worksheet

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Answer Key

Multiplying and Dividing Radicals Answer Key

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Sources

DeMarr, Elizabeth. "Rationalizing Denominators with Radicals." http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/algtrig/ATO3/rdlesson.htm (accessed 1/8/2011).

HelpAlgebra.com, "How to Rationalize the Denominator." http://www.helpalgebra.com/articles/rationalizedenominator.htm (accessed 1/8/2011).

Holt, Reinhart & Winston, "Exponential and Radical Functions ." http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/homework_help/alg1/alg1_ch11_08_homeworkhelp.html (accessed 1/8/2011).

Holt, Reinhart & Winston, "Multiply and Divide Radical Expressions." http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/lesson_videos/alg1/player.html?contentSrc=6395/6395.xml (accessed 1/8/2011).

Holt, Reinhart & Winston, "Multiply and Divide Radical Expressions." http://my.hrw.com/math06_07/nsmedia/lesson_videos/alg1/player.html?contentSrc=7877/7877.xml (accessed 1/8/2011).