Algebra 2
Section 6.3: Sums of Radicals
Remember when we had nice simple problems like this...
Simplify:
5x + 2x
= 7x
Combine like terms
Now apply this same philosophy to problems with radicals
Simplify:
Combine like terms - both terms have the same
number under the radical sign and the same index
(square root)
Cannot combine terms - both terms have the same
number under the radical sign but do not have the
same index (fourth root and cube root)
1
Algebra 2
Section 6.3: Sums of Radicals
Example: Simplify.
Distribute to eliminate
parentheses
2
Algebra 2
Section 6.3: Sums of Radicals
Example: Simplify.
Cannot leave radicals in the
denominator...so multiply
top and bottom of fraction
by the radical
You could do some
canceling earlier in the
problem between the top and
bottom as long as you can
take it out of EVERYTHING
3
Algebra 2
Section 6.3: Sums of Radicals
Example: Simplify.
Cannot leave radicals in the
denominator...so multiply
top and bottom of fraction
by the radical
4