Algebra II : Radicals and Fractions

Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Radicals And Fractions

Simplify the following expression:

Explanation:

First, let's see how we can combine these two fractions. Remember the following relationships:

and

Now, let's look at our problem. Let's first try and turn the first term into one big radical:

Great! We've used the first relationship; now let's combine the two radicals using the second relationship.

I haven't multiplied out anything yet because I want to see if there's any simplifying I can do BEFORE I multiply. In this case, I ask myself: Does the denominator contain any factors of 27 (3, 9, 27)?

I know 108 is divisible by 9 because its digits add up to a number that's divisible by 9. 27 is divisible by 9 too, so I can rewrite it this way:

We also know that 3 is a factor of 12:

Now, after simplifying the fraction, we have to simplify the radical. Keep this in mind:

We can finally simplify this expression completely:

Example Question #2 : Radicals And Fractions

Rationalize the denominator.

Explanation:

In order to rationalize the denominator we must eliminate the root in the denominator.

To do this, we multiply the radical by ,

Example Question #2 : Radicals And Fractions

Simplify by rationalizing the denominator:

None of the other responses is correct.

Explanation:

Multiply the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, which is . Then take advantage of the distributive properties and the difference of squares pattern:

Example Question #3 : Radicals And Fractions

Simplify:

Explanation:

We can take the square roots of the numerator and denominator separately. Thus, we get:

Example Question #5 : Radicals And Fractions

Simplify the following:

Explanation:

You can begin by rewriting this equation as:

Now, you need to rationalize the denominator.  To do this, multiply both top and bottom by :

Then, cancel the common :

Since  is a perfect square you can take the square root to get the simplified answer.

Example Question #4 : Radicals And Fractions

Simplify .

Explanation:

For this equation:

Example Question #7 : Radicals And Fractions

Solve and simplify.

Explanation:

When foiling, you multiply the numbers/variables that first appear in each binomial, followed by multiplying the outer most numbers/variables, then multiplying the inner most numbers/variables and finally multiplying the last numbers/variables.

Combining like terms we get our final answer as follows.

Example Question #2 : Radicals And Fractions

Solve and simplify.

Explanation:

When dividing radicals, check the denominator to make sure it can be simplified or that there is a radical present that needs to be fixed. Since there is a radical present, we need to eliminate that radical. To do this, we multiply both top and bottom by . The reason is because we want a whole number in the denominator and multiplying by itself will achieve that. By multiplying itself, it creates a square number which can be reduced to .

With the denominator being , the numerator is .

Example Question #5 : Radicals And Fractions

Simplify

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, I would start by simplifying the radical on the numerator. Remember, for every pair of the same number underneath the radical, you can take one out of the radical. Therefore, the numerator simplifies to: . Then, get rid of the negative exponent on the denominator (by placing it in the numerator, you get rid of the negative exponent!): . Now simplify like terms so that you get: .

Simplify