How to add square roots

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SAT Math › How to add square roots

Questions 1 - 5
1

Simplify the following expression:

Explanation

Begin by factoring out each of the radicals:

For the first two radicals, you can factor out a or :

The other root values cannot be simply broken down. Now, combine the factors with :

This is your simplest form.

2

If \sqrt{x}=3^2 what is x?

81

9

3

729

27

Explanation

Square both sides:

x = (32)2 = 92 = 81

3

Simplify in radical form:

Explanation

To simplify, break down each square root into its component factors:

You can remove pairs of factors and bring them outside the square root sign. At this point, since each term shares , you can add them together to yield the final answer:

4

Simplify:

None of the other answers

Explanation

Take each fraction separately first:

(2√3)/(√2) = \[(2√3)/(√2)\] * \[(√2)/(√2)\] = (2 * √3 * √2)/(√2 * √2) = (2 * √6)/2 = √6

Similarly:

(4√2)/(√3) = \[(4√2)/(√3)\] * \[(√3)/(√3)\] = (4√6)/3 = (4/3)√6

Now, add them together:

√6 + (4/3)√6 = (3/3)√6 + (4/3)√6 = (7/3)√6

5

Solve for .

Note, :

Explanation

Begin by getting your terms onto the left side of the equation and your numeric values onto the right side of the equation:

Next, you can combine your radicals. You do this merely by subtracting their respective coefficients:

Now, square both sides:

Solve by dividing both sides by :

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