Simplifying Square Roots

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ACT Math › Simplifying Square Roots

Questions 1 - 10
1

Right triangle has legs of length . What is the exact length of the hypotenuse?

Explanation

If the triangle is a right triangle, then it follows the Pythagorean Theorem. Therefore:

--->

At this point, factor out the greatest perfect square from our radical:

Simplify the perfect square, then repeat the process if necessary.

Since is a prime number, we are finished!

2

Right triangle has legs of length . What is the exact length of the hypotenuse?

Explanation

If the triangle is a right triangle, then it follows the Pythagorean Theorem. Therefore:

--->

At this point, factor out the greatest perfect square from our radical:

Simplify the perfect square, then repeat the process if necessary.

Since is a prime number, we are finished!

3

Which of the following is equal to ?

Explanation

√75 can be broken down to √25 * √3. Which simplifies to 5√3.

4

What is ?

Explanation

We know that 25 is a factor of 50. The square root of 25 is 5. That leaves which can not be simplified further.

5

Which of the following is equal to ?

Explanation

√75 can be broken down to √25 * √3. Which simplifies to 5√3.

6

What is ?

Explanation

We know that 25 is a factor of 50. The square root of 25 is 5. That leaves which can not be simplified further.

7

Which of the following is equal to ?

Explanation

When simplifying square roots, begin by prime factoring the number in question. For , this is:

Now, for each pair of numbers, you can remove that number from the square root. Thus, you can say:

Another way to think of this is to rewrite as . This can be simplified in the same manner.

8

Which of the following is equal to ?

Explanation

When simplifying square roots, begin by prime factoring the number in question. For , this is:

Now, for each pair of numbers, you can remove that number from the square root. Thus, you can say:

Another way to think of this is to rewrite as . This can be simplified in the same manner.

9

What is the simplified (reduced) form of ?

It cannot be simplified further.

Explanation

To simplify a square root, you have to factor the number and look for pairs. Whenever there is a pair of factors (for example two twos), you pull one to the outside.

Thus when you factor 96 you get

10

What is the simplified (reduced) form of ?

It cannot be simplified further.

Explanation

To simplify a square root, you have to factor the number and look for pairs. Whenever there is a pair of factors (for example two twos), you pull one to the outside.

Thus when you factor 96 you get

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