Rationalizing the Denominator
Essential Question
• How do I get a radical out of the denominator
of a fraction?
• If a fraction has a denominator that is a square
root, you can simplify it by rationalizing the
denominator.
• To do this: Multiply both the numerator and
the denominator by a number that produces a
perfect square under the radical sign in the
denominator.
• WE DON’T LIKE SQUARE ROOTS IN THE
DENOMINATOR!!!
Example 1
• Simplify by rationalizing the denominator:
Example 2
• Simplify by rationalizing the denominator:
• Simplify by rationalizing
the denominator: