Chapter

Radicals (Surds)

Contents:

A B C D

Radicals on a number line Operations with radicals Expansions with radicals Division by radicals

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

INTRODUCTION
In previous years we used the Theorem of Pythagoras to find the length of the third side of a triangle. p p Our answers often involved radicals such as 2, 3, p 5, and so on.
~`5 1

A radical is a number that is written using the radical sign p . p p p p Radicals such as 4 and 9 are rational since 4 = 2 and 9 = 3. p p p Radicals such as 2, 3 and 5 are irrational. They have decimal expansions which neither terminate nor recur. Irrational radicals are also known as surds.

RESEARCH
Where did the names radical and surd come from? Why do we use the word irrational to describe some numbers? Before we had calculators and computers, finding 1 decimal representations for numbers like p to four 2 or five decimal places was quite difficult and time consuming. 1 Imagine having to find 1:414 correct to five 21 decimal places using long division! A method was devised to do this calculation quickly. What was the process?

SQUARE ROOTS
p p p The square root of a or a is the positive number which obeys the rule a a = a. p For a to have meaning we require a to be non-negative, i.e., a > 0. p p p 5 5 = 5 or ( 5)2 = 5. For example, p Note that 4 = 2, not 2, since the square root of a number cannot be negative.

RADICALS ON A NUMBER LINE

~`5 0 1 2 3

p If we convert a radical such as 5 to a decimal we can find its approximate position on a p p 5 2:236 067, so 5 is close to 2 1 number line. 4.

RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

89

p We can also construct the position of 5 on a number line using a ruler and compass. Since p p 12 + 22 = ( 5)2 , we can use a right-angled triangle with sides of length 1, 2 and 5. Step 1: Step 2: Draw a number line and mark the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3 on it, 1 cm apart. With compass point on 1, draw an arc above 2. Do the same with compass point on 3 using the same radius. Draw the perpendicular at 2 through the intersection of these arcs, and mark off 1 cm. Call this point A.
1 ~`5 0 1 2 3

Step 3: Step 4:

Complete the right angled triangle. Its sides are 2, 1 and

p 5 cm.

With centre O and radius OA, draw an arc through A to meet the p number line. It meets the number line at 5.

DEMO

EXERCISE 4A

p 1 Notice that 12 + 42 = 17 = ( 17)2 . p Locate 17 on a number line using an accurate construction. a The sum of the squares of which two positive integers is 13? p b Accurately construct the position of 13 on a number line. p 3 Can we construct the exact position of 6 on a number line using the method above? 2 4 7 cannot be written as the sum of two squares so the above method cannot be used for locating 4 p ~`7 7 on the number line. p 3 However, 42 32 = 7, so 42 = 32 +( 7)2 . p We can thus construct a right angled triangle with sides of length 4, 3 and 7. p Use such a triangle to accurately locate 7 on a number line.

OPERATIONS WITH RADICALS

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING RADICALS

We can add and subtract like radicals in the same way as we do like terms in algebra. p p p For example: just as 3a + 2a = 5a, 3 2 + 2 2 = 5 2 p p p just as 6b 4b = 2b, 6 3 4 3 = 2 3.
Example 1

Self Tutor
p p a 3 24 2 p p p a 3 2 4 2 = 1 2 p = 2 b b p p 7 2(1 7) p p p p 7 2(1 7) = 7 2 + 2 7 p =3 72

Simplify:

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

SIMPLIFYING PRODUCTS
We have established in previous years that: p p p a a = ( a)2 = a p p p a b = ab r p a a p = b b

Example 2

Self Tutor
p a ( 2)2 p b ( 2)3 p ( 2)3 p p p = 2 2 2 p =2 2 c 4 p 2 c 2

Simplify:

p ( 2)2 p p = 2 2 =2

4 p 2

42 = p ( 2)2 =
16 2

=8

Example 3

Self Tutor
p a (3 2)2 a p (3 2)2 p p =3 23 2 =92 = 18 p p b 3 3 (2 3) b p p 3 3 (2 3) p p = 3 2 3 3 = 6 3 = 18

Simplifying:

Example 4

Self Tutor
p p b 3 2 4 11 b p p 3 2 4 11 p p = 3 4 2 11 p = 12 2 11 p = 12 22

Write in simplest form: p p a 2 5 a p p 2 5 p = 25 p = 10

With practice you should not need the middle steps.

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91

Example 5

Self Tutor
a p 75 p 3 b p 32 p 2 2 p 32 p 2 2 q
1 2 1 2 1 2

Simplify: p 75 p 3 q p 25
75 3

a = =

b = = =

p 16 4

32 2

=5

=2

EXERCISE 4B.1
1 Simplify: p p a 3 2+7 2 p p c 6 57 5 p p e 3 (2 3) p p p p g 5 2 3+ 2 3 p p p i 3 3 2 (1 2) p p p p k 3( 3 2) ( 2 3) 2 Simplify: p a ( 3)2 p e ( 7)2 p i ( 5)2 3 Simplify: p a (2 2)2 p d (3 3)2 p g (2 7)2 p p j 3 24 2 p m (4 2)2 p p p (2 3)(5 3) 4 Simplify: q a 61 4 p b ( 3)3 p f ( 7)3 p j ( 5)4 p p b 11 3 8 3 p p d 2+2 2 p p f 2 (3 + 2) p p p p h 72 2+ 7 2 p p j 2( 3 + 1) + 3(1 3) p p l 3( 3 1) 2(2 3) p c ( 3)5 g k 1 p 7 5 p 5 2 h 2 l d 1 p 3 3 p 7 10 p 5 2 2 2

p b (4 2)2 p e (2 5)2 p h (2 10)2 p p k 5 32 3 p n (7 3)2 p p q (2 7) 3 7 q b 17 9 q c 2 14 25

p c (2 3)2 p f (3 5)2 p i (7 10)2 p p l 7 25 2 p p o 2 (3 2) p p r 11 (2 11) q d 71 9

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

5 Simplify: p p a 2 3 p p d 7 3 p p g 5 2 7 p p j ( 7) (2 3) 6 Simplify: p 8 a p 2 p 75 e p 5 p 3 6 i p 2 7 a Is

p p 2 7 p p e 2 25 3 p p h 2 63 5 p p k (2 3)2 2 5 p 18 c p 3 p 18 g p 2 p 4 6 k p 24

p p 2 17 p f (3 2)2 p p i 5 2 2 7 p p l (2 2)3 5 3 p 2 d p 50 p 3 h p 60 p 3 98 p l 2 2

p 3 b p 27 p 5 f p 75 p 4 12 j p 3

p p p p p p 9 + 16 = 9 + 16 ? Is 25 16 = 25 16 ? p p p p p p b Are a + b = a + b and a b = a b possible laws for radical numbers? p p p a Prove that a b = ab for all positive numbers a and b. p p p Hint: Consider ( a b)2 and ( ab)2 . r p a a for a > 0 and b > 0. b Prove that p = b b

SIMPLEST RADICAL FORM

A radical is in simplest form when the number under the radical sign is the smallest possible integer.

Example 6 p Write 8 in simplest form.

Self Tutor
p 8 p = 42 p p = 4 2 p =2 2

We look for the largest perfect square that can be taken out as a factor of this number.

p p p p p 32 = 4 8 = 2 8 is not in simplest form as 8 can be further simplified into 2 2. p p In simplest form, 32 = 4 2.

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93

Example 7 p Write 432 in simplest radical form.

Self Tutor
p 432 p = 24 33 p p = 24 33 p =43 3 p = 12 3

It may be useful to do a prime factorisation of the number under the radical sign.

EXERCISE 4B.2

p 1 Write in the form k 2 where k is an integer: p p a 18 b 50 c p p e 162 f 200 g p 2 Write in the form k 3 where k is an integer: p p a 12 b 27 c p 3 Write in the form k 5 where k 2 Z : p p a 20 b 80 c 4 Write in simplest radical form: p p a 99 b 52 p p e 48 f 125 p p i 176 j 150 c

p 72 p 20 000 p 48 p 320

p 98 p h 2 000 000 p 300 p 500

p 5 Write in simplest radical form a + b n where a, b 2 Q , n 2 Z : p p p p 4+ 8 6 12 4 + 18 8 32 a b c d 2 2 4 4 p p p p 12 + 72 18 + 27 14 50 5 200 e f g h 6 6 8 10

p 40 p g 147 p k 275

p 63 p h 175 p l 2000

EXPANSIONS WITH RADICALS

The rules for expanding radical expressions containing brackets are identical to those for ordinary algebra. a(b + c) = ab + ac (a + b)(c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 (a + b)(a b) = a2 b2

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

Example 8

Self Tutor
p a 2(2 + 3) b p p b 2(5 2 2) p p 2(5 2 2) p p p = 2 5 + 2 2 2 p =5 24
With practice you should not need the middle steps.

Simplify: a

p 2(2 + 3) p =22+2 3 p =4+2 3

Example 9

Self Tutor
p p p b 2( 2 3) b p p p 2( 2 3) p p p p = 2 2+ 2 3 p = 2 + 6

Expand and simplify: p p a 3(2 + 3) a p p 3(2 + 3) p p p = 32+ 3 3 p = 2 3 3

EXERCISE 4C
1 Expand and simplify: p a 4(3 + 2) p d 6( 11 4) p p g 3(2 + 2 3) p p j 5(2 5 1) 2 Expand and simplify: p p a 2(4 + 2) p p d 3(3 + 3) p p p g 5(2 2 3) p p j 7(2 7 + 4)
Example 10

p p b 3( 2 + 3) p p e 2(1 + 2) p p p h 3( 3 2) p p p k 5(2 5 + 3) b p p 2(3 2) p p e 3(5 3) p p p h 2 2( 2 + 3) p p k 11(2 11)

p c 5(4 7) p p f 2( 2 5) p p i 5(6 5) p p p l 7(2 + 7 + 2) p p p c 2( 2 7) p p p f 3(2 3 + 5) p p i 2 3(1 2 2) p p l ( 2)3 (4 2 2)

Self Tutor
b (3 + b p p 5)(1 5)

Expand and simplify: p p a (2 + 2)(3 + 2) a p p (2 + 2)(3 + 2) p p p = (2 + 2)3 + (2 + 2) 2 p p =6+3 2+2 2+2 p =8+5 2

p p (3 + 5)(1 5) p p = (3 + 5)(1 + 5) p p p = (3 + 5)1 + (3 + 5)( 5) p p =3+ 53 55 p = 2 2 5

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95

3 Expand and simplify: p p a (2 + 2)(3 + 2) p p c ( 2 + 2)( 2 1) p p e (2 + 3)(2 3) p p g ( 7 + 2)( 7 3) p p i (3 2 + 1)(3 2 + 3)

Example 11

b (3 + d f h j

p p 2)(3 + 2) p p (4 3)(3 + 3) p p (2 6)(5 + 6) p p p p ( 11 + 2)( 11 2) p p (6 2 2)(2 + 2)

Self Tutor
p p b ( 5 3)2 b p p ( 5 3)2 p p = ( 5 + 3)2 p p p p = ( 5)2 + 2 5( 3) + ( 3)2 p = 5 2 15 + 3 p = 8 2 15

Expand and simplify: p a ( 2 + 3)2 a p ( 2 + 3)2 p p = ( 2)2 + 2 2(3) + 32 p =2+6 2+9 p = 11 + 6 2

4 Expand and simplify: p a (1 + 3)2 p d (1 + 7)2 p p g ( 3 + 5)2 p j (2 2 + 3)2

Example 12

p b ( 2 + 5)2 p p e ( 3 2)2 p h (3 6)2 p k (3 2 2)2

c (3

p 2 2) p 2 f (4 5) p p i ( 6 3)2 p l (3 5 2)2

Self Tutor
p p b (2 2 + 3)(2 2 3) b p p (2 2 + 3)(2 2 3) p = (2 2)2 32 =89 = 1

Expand and simplify: p p a (4 + 2)(4 2) a p p (4 + 2)(4 2) p = 42 ( 2)2 = 16 2 = 14

5 Expand and simplify: p p a (3 + 2)(3 2) p p c (5 + 3)(5 3) p p e ( 7 3)( 7 + 3) p p p p g ( 7 11)( 7 + 11)

p p b ( 3 1)( 3 + 1) p p d ( 3 4)( 3 + 4) p p f (2 + 5 2)(2 5 2) p p h (2 5 + 6)(2 5 6)

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

p p i (3 2 + 2)(3 2 2) p p p p k ( 3 7)( 3 + 7)

p p p p j ( 3 2)( 3 + 2) p p l (2 2 + 1)(2 2 1)

D
In numbers like 6 p 2 and 9 p p 5 2

DIVISION BY RADICALS
we have divided by a radical.

It is customary to simplify these numbers by rewriting them without the radical in the denominator.

INVESTIGATION 1

DIVISION BY

p a

In this investigation we consider fractions of the form

b p where a and a b are real numbers. To remove the radical from the denominator, there are two methods we could use: splitting the numerator rationalising the denominator

What to do: 1 Consider the fraction 6 p . 2

a Since 2 is a factor of 6, split the 6 into 3 6 b Simplify p . 2

p p 2 2.

7 2 Can the method of splitting the numerator be used to simplify p ? 2 3 Consider the fraction 7 p . 2 p 2 p , are we changing its value? 2

a If we multiply this fraction by b Simplify 7 p 2

by multiplying both its numerator and denominator by

p 2.

4 The method in 3 is called rationalising the denominator. Will this method work b where a and b are real? for all fractions of the form p a b From the Investigation above, you should have found that for any fraction of the form p , a p p a a we can remove the radical from the denominator by multiplying by p . Since p = 1, a a we do not change the value of the fraction.

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97

Example 13

Self Tutor

Write with an integer denominator: 6 35 a p b p 3 7 a 6 p 3 p 3 6 =p p 3 3 p 2 6 3 = 31 p =2 3 b 35 p 7 p 7 35 =p p 7 7 p 5 35 7 = 7 1 p =5 7

Multiplying the original p 3 or number by p 3 p 7 does not change p 7 its value.

EXERCISE 4D.1
1 Write with integer denominator: 1 a p 3 2 f p 2 5 k p 5 7 p p 7 3 b p 3 6 g p 2 15 l p 5 21 q p 7 9 c p 3 12 h p 2 3 m p 5 2 r p 11 d i n s 11 p 3 p 3 p 2 200 p 5 26 p 13 p 2 e p 3 3 1 p 4 2 1 o p 3 5 1 t p ( 3)3 j

RADICAL CONJUGATES

p p Radical expressions such as 3 + 2 and 3 2 which are identical except for opposing signs in the middle, are called radical conjugates. The radical conjugate of a + p p b is a b.

INVESTIGATION 2
Fractions of the form

RADICAL CONJUGATES

c p can also be simplified to remove the a+ b radical from the denominator. To do this we use radical conjugates. What to do: 1 Expand and simplify: p p a (2 + 3)(2 3) p p b ( 3 1)( 3 + 1)

2 What do you notice about your results in 1?

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

3 Show that for any integers a and b, the following products are integers: p p p p a (a + b)(a b) b ( a b)( a + b) 4 a Copy and complete: To remove the radicals from the denominator of a fraction, we can multiply the denominator by its ...... b What must we do to the numerator of the fraction to ensure we do not change its value?

From the Investigation above, we should have found that: to remove the radicals from the denominator of a fraction, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the radical conjugate of the denominator.

Example 14

Self Tutor
with an integer denominator.

Write

14 p 3 2

14 p = 3 2

p ! 3+ 2 p 3+ 2 p 14 = (3 + 2) 92 p = 2(3 + 2) p =6+2 2 14 p 3 2

Example 15

Self Tutor
a with integer denominator p b in the form a + b 2 where a, b 2 Q . p 5 2 b = 23 So, a =
5 23 5 23

Write

1 p : 5+ 2

1 p 5+ 2 p ! 1 5 2 p p = 5+ 2 5 2 p 5 2 = 25 2 p 5 2 = 23

1 23

p 2

1 and b = 23 .

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99

EXERCISE 4D.2
1 Write with integer denominator: 2 1 p p b c 3 2 2+ 5 p p 3 2 2 p p f g 4 3 1 2 p 2 Write in the form a + b 2 where a, b 2 Q : p 3 4 2 p a p b c p 23 2+ 2 25 p 3 Write in the form a + b 3 where a, b 2 Q : p 4 6 3 p p a b p c 1 3 3+2 2 3 p p 4 a If a, b and c are integers, show that (a + b c)(a b c) is b Write with an integer denominator: 5 i 1 p a 3+ 2 p 1+ 2 p e 1 2 p 2 p d 2 2 p 1+ 5 p h 2 5 p 2 2 d p 2+1 p 1+2 3 p d 3+ 3

1 p ii 1+2 3 p p p p a If a and b are integers, show that ( a + b)( a b) is also an integer. 1 p i p 2+ 3 p 3 p ii p 3 5

an integer. p 2 p . 3 25

b Write with an integer denominator:

LINKS
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HOW A CALCULATOR CALCULATES RATIONAL NUMBERS

Areas of interaction: Human ingenuity

REVIEW SET 4A
1 Simplify: p a (2 3)2 2 b 4 p 2 2 p p c 3 22 5 q d 12 1 4

a Copy and complete: 12 + 32 = (::::::)2 b Use a to accurately construct the position of and compass.

p 10 on a number line using a ruler

3 Simplify: p 15 a p 3

p 35 b p 7

p 35 c p 5

p 2 d p 20

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RADICALS (SURDS) (Chapter 4)

p 8 in simplest radical form. p p b Hence, simplify 5 2 8 . p 5 Write 98 in simplest radical form. a Write b p p 2(3 2) p p e (3 + 2)(3 2) c (1 + p 2 7) p p f (3 + 2)(1 2)

6 Expand and simplify: p a 2( 3 + 1) p d (2 5)2

7 Write with an integer denominator: p 3+2 10 b p a p 5 3+1 p 8 Write in the form a + b 5 where a, b 2 Q : p 2 5 3 p b p a 2 5 5+1

p 1+ 7 p c 1 7

REVIEW SET 4B
1 Simplify: p q p 8 b p d 54 c (3 5)2 9 2 p Find the exact position of 12 on a number line using a ruler and compass construction. Explain your method. Hint: Look for two positive integers a and b such that a2 b2 = 12. p p 21 3 Simplify: a p b p 3 24 p p 3 27 Simplify: p p 12 b 63 Write in simplest radical form: a p p 3 2 a b p p 7( 2 1) p p e (2 5)(2 + 5) c (3 p 2 2) p p f (2 + 3)(3 3)

3 4 5

6 Expand and simplify: p a 3(2 3) p p d ( 3 + 2)2 24 a p 3

7 Write with integer denominator:

p 8 Write in the form a + b 3 where a, b 2 Q : p 3 18 p p b a 5 3 3+ 3

p 1+ 2 p b 2 2

p 4 5 p c 3+ 5