# GRE Math : How to divide square roots

## Example Questions

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### Example Question #1 : How To Divide Square Roots

Which of the following is equal to

Explanation:

We then multiply our fraction by  because we cannot leave a radical in the denominator. This gives us . Finally, we can simplify our fraction, dividing out a 3, leaving us with

### Example Question #2 : How To Divide Square Roots

Simplify:

Explanation:

Remember, when dividing exponents of same base, just subtract the power.

### Example Question #3 : How To Divide Square Roots

Solve for :

Explanation:

If we multiplied top and bottom by , we would get nowhere, as this would result: . Instead, let's cross-multiply.

Then, square both sides to get rid of the radical.

Divide both sides by .

The reason the negative is not an answer is because a negative value in a radical is an imaginary number.

### Example Question #1 : Square Roots And Operations

Rationalize the denominator:

Explanation:

We don't want to have radicals in the denominator. To get rid of radicals, just multiply top and bottom by that radical.

### Example Question #5 : How To Divide Square Roots

Simplify:

Explanation:

There are two methods we can use to simplify this fraction:

Method 1:

Factor the numerator:

Remember, we need to factor out perfect squares.

Method 2:

You can combine the fraction into one big square root.

Then, you can simplify the fraction.

### Example Question #6 : How To Divide Square Roots

Simplify:

Explanation:

Let's factor the square roots.

Then, multiply the numerator and the denominator by  to get rid of the radical in the denominator.

### Example Question #11 : Square Roots And Operations

Which of the following is equivalent to ?

Explanation:

We can definitely eliminate some answer choices.  and  don't make sense because we have an irrational number. Next, let's multiply the numerator and denominator of  by . When we simplify radical fractions, we try to eliminate radicals, but here, we are going to go backwards.

### Example Question #8 : How To Divide Square Roots

Rationalize the denominator and simplify:

Explanation:

We don't want to have radicals in the denominator. To get rid of radicals, just multiply the numerator and the denominator by that radical.

Remember to distribute the radical in the numerator when multiplying.

This may be the answer; however, the numerator can be simplified. Let's factor out the squares.

Finally, if we factor out a , we get:

### Example Question #9 : How To Divide Square Roots

Simplify:

Explanation:

Let's get rid of the radicals in the denominator of each individual fraction.

Then find the least common denominator of the fractions, which is , and multiply them so that they each have a denominator of .

We can definitely simplify the numerator in the right fraction by factoring out a perfect square of .

Finally, we can factor out a :

Simplify: