(Effective Alternative Secondary Education)

MATHEMATICS II
Y

MODULE 4

Radical Expressions

BUREAU OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

Department of Education
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
 Module 4
Radical Expressions

What this module is about

This module is about addition and subtraction of radical expressions.

Adding and subtracting radical expressions is very much similar to adding and
subtracting similar terms of polynomials. Similar terms or like terms are those
with the same literal parts or literal factors. Radicals are similar if they have the
same index and the same radicands. For example: 3 x and 5 3 x are similar
radicals whose index is 2 and whose radicand is 3x.

What you are expected to learn

This module is designed for you to:

1. add and subtract radical expressions

2. solve simple problems involving radical operations.

How much do you know

Simplify and perform the necessary operations:

1. 5 5 +6 5

2. 5 3x + 12 x

1 1
3. 3 + 3
2 3

4. 2 2a  4 18a

5. 7 b 5 b

6. 7 5 -5 20

7. 16 2 - 3 32

2
8. 10 x  3 7 y  5 10 x  9 7y

9. 5 20 -8 5 +3 45

10. 72 x +2 8x -5 2x

What will you do

Lesson 1

Addition of Radical Expressions

Radicals may be combined into simple radical expression by adding

similar terms. The sum of two radicals cannot be simplified if the radicals have
different indices or different radicands.

3 + 3
3 cannot be simplified (indices are different

5 + 2 cannot be simplified (radicands are different

It is important that the radicals are written in simplest form before adding
and subtracting.

3 + 27 can further be simplified. 27 =3 3

= 3 + 3 3 add

= 4 3

Examples:

Find the sum of the following radical expressions:

1. 4 + 5 2 + 6 2

Solution: Add coefficients and annex their common radical factor

= (4 + 5 + 6) 2

3
 = 15 2

2. 6 2 + 3 5 +2 2 +5 5

Solution:

= (6 2 + 2 2 ) + (3 5 +6 5 ) Group similar radicals.

=8 2 +9 5 Add the coefficients of similar radicals.

You cannot add the coefficients of different radicand.

3. 6 27 + 2 75

Solution:

=6 93 + 2 25  3 Factor each radicand

= 6(3 3 ) + 2(5 3 ) Simplify

= 18 3 + 10 3 Add the coefficients and annex

their common radical factor
= 28 3

4. 3
32  3
108

Solution:

= 3
84  3
27  4 Factor each radicand such that one
factor is a perfect cube.
= 2 3 4  33 4

= (2 + 3) 3 4

= 53 4

3 3
5. 4  3
25 25

Solution:

3 3
= 4  3 Split the numerator and denominator
25 25

4
 4 3
= 3  3 Simplify and add the coefficients
5 5

7
= 3
5

2 3
6. 
3 2

Solution:

2 3

3 2

2 3 3 2
=    Split the numerator and denominator
3 3 2 2
and rationalize the denominator.
6 6
=  Simplify
9 4

6 6
=  Get the LCD. LCD = 6
3 2

2 6 3 6
= Add
6

5 6
=
6

7. 9a 7  a3

Solution:

= 9a 6  a  a2  a Split a7 such that the exponent is exactly

divisible by the index, 2.

= 3a2 a  a a Simplify

= (3a2 + a) a

5
 Keep in mind that our basic approach to these problems has been to first
put each term into simplest radical form before adding and /or subtracting.

Try this out

Perform the indicated operations.

A. 1. 4 2 + 5 2

2. 5 3 +2 3 + 10 3

3. 16 7 + 8 7 + 7

4. 15 11 + 3 11 + 5 11 + 6 11

1 2
5. 13  13
2 3

B. 6. 2 27 +3 16

7. 180 + 125 + 10 45

8. 3 36a + 100a

9. 75 + 2 27 + 12

10. 5 b + 4b

C. 11. 80 +3 45 + 20

12. 12 x + 27 x + 48 x

3 3
13. +2
4 4

5x2 y 2
14.  5x2 y 2
4

2 3
15. 2 + 5
3 2

D. What’s the Message?

6
 Simplify the expression and find the correct answer in the box, then fill in
the small box with the corresponding letter. Once you have filled in all the small
boxes with the appropriate letter, darken all the blank spaces to separate the
words in the secret message. What’s the message? Have fun!

1. E : 7 34 7 9. U: 2 12  48

2. N : 18  2 32  50 10. H: 2 28 y 3  63 y 3

5 5
3. T: 3 81  2 9  5 16 11. O: 3 5
16 16

4. S :6 10  10 12. L: 4 320a 3  2 180a 3

5. W: 3 25 x  2 4 x  3 9 x 13. R: 44 x 5  99 x 5

6. I: 100  144  25 14. C: 2 27  3 16

64
7. Q: 8 12  2 3 15. F:
49

8. Y: 2  12 16. V: 3 200  2 147  338

7
 __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _
13 14 + 3 710 83 12 + 63 12+63 57+3

__ __ __ _ _ _ __ __
710 710 5 10 113+5 7 +11 27 710

__
12 _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _
5 82 +5 25 162 44a5a 2 +2 3 410+ 3
10

8 _ ___ _ __ _
7 25 5x211x 43 53 7y7y 25

__ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _
710 57 + 3 66+52 28x 7y7y 25 2/35

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
153+25 2 + 3 162 57+3 432+143 57+3 5x211x

_ _ _ _ _
100+5 183 83 27 53 2/35 153

LESSON 2

Subtraction of Radicals

Subtraction of radicals follows the rule in addition of real numbers. The

operation just like in addition is only possible for similar radical expressions.

Examples:

Simplify the following:

1. 5 32 3

8
 Solution:

5 32 3

= (5 – 2) 3 Group their coefficients and subtract.

= 3 3

2. 54  3 96

Solution:

54  3 96

= 9  6  3 16  6 Factor each radical in such a way that

one factor is a perfect square.
= 3 6  3 4 6  Simplify

= 3 6  12 6 Subtract

= 9 6

3. 25 x 2  9x2

Solution:

25 x 2  9x2

= 5x – 3x

= 2x

4. 27 x 3 y 2  12 x 3 y 2

Solution:

27 x 3 y 2  12 x 3 y 2

= 9  3  x2  x  y2  4  3  x2  x  y 2 Factor the radicals in such a way that

one factor is a perfect square.
= 3xy 3 x  2 xy 3x 9, 4, x2 and y2 are perfect
squares.

= (3 xy  2 xy ) 3 x Group the coefficients and subtract

9
 = 1xy 3x or xy 3x

5. 2 3 16  5 3 54

Solution:

2 3 16  5 3 54 Factor the radicand in such a way

that
one factor is a perfect cube.
= 2 8  2  5 27  2
3 3
8 and 27 are perfect cubes hence, their
cube root is 2 and 3 respectively.
= 2 ( 2 3 2 )  5 (33 2 ) Simplify

= 4 3 2  15 3 2

= -11 3 2

6. 2 3
x 2 y  3 8 x5 y 4

Rename the expression such that the radicand can be expressed as a

perfect cube and the exponents are exactly divisible by the index if
possible then simplify.

Solution:

2 3
x 2 y  3 8 x5 y 4

= 2 3
x2 y  3
8 x3 x 2 y 3 y 8, x3 and y3 are perfect cubes

= 2 3
x 2 y  2 xy 3
x2 y

= (2 - 2xy) 3 x2 y

Subtraction of radical expressions with fraction.

3a 2
7. 2a 3 
9

Solution:

10
 3a 2
2a 3 
9

3a 2
= 2a 3  Split the numerator and denominator
9
and simplify.
a 3
= 2a 3  or
3

a
= 2a 3  3
3

 a
=  2a   3 Group the coefficients and simplify.
 3

 6a  a 
=   3
 3 

5a
= 3
3

Addition and Subtraction of Radical Expressions

With the above knowledge, you can now perform a combination of operations.

1. 5 3 6 2 2 3 5 2

Solution:

5 3 6 2 2 3 5 2

= 5 3 2 3 6 2 5 2 Group similar terms and perform the

necessary operations.
= 3 3  11 2

Addition of dissimilar radicands is not allowed.

2. 18 x 2 y  8x2 y  50 x 2 y

Solution:

18 x 2 y  8x2 y  50 x 2 y

= 9  2x2 y  4  2x2 y  25  2 x 2 y Factor in such a way that one factor is a

11
 perfect square.
= 3x 2 y  2x 2 y  5x 2y Simplify

= (3x – 2x + 5x) 2y Perform the necessary operations.

= 6x 2y

3. 9a 7 - a3

Solution:

9a 7 - a3

= 9a 6 a - a 2a

= 3a3 a -a a

= (3a3 – a) a

4. 8a 3b3  3 ab  3 8a 4b 4  4 4a 2b 2

In this problem, no two radicands are identical and the radical expressions
have indices 2, 3 and 4. The radical expression 4 4a 2b 2 can be converted into a
radical expression with index 2.

Solution:

4
4 a 2b 2 = 4
( 2ab) 2

2 1
Note that is the same as  2ab  4 or  2ab  2
4
(2ab) 2 = 2ab . You can
now complete the solution.

8a 3b3  3 ab  3 8a 4b 4  4 4a 2b 2

Since 4
4 a 2b 2 = 2ab then,

8a 3b 3  3 ab  3 8a 4b 4  2ab

= 4  2  a 2  a  b 2  b  3 ab  3 8a 3  a  b3  b  2ab Factor and simplify.

= 2ab 2ab  3 ab  2ab 3 ab  2ab

= 2ab 2ab  2ab  3 ab  2ab 3 ab Group similar radicands.

12
 = (2ab  1) 2ab  (1  2ab) 3 ab By addition

Try This Out

Perform the indicated operations.

A. 1. 3 -2 3

2. 5 7x -4 7x

3. 3 6a -7 6a

4. 4 x -3 x -2 x

5. 12 -5 8 -7 20

B. 6. 36 - 100

7. 6 18 - 32 +2 50

8. -2 63 +2 28 +2 7

9. 5 8 + 3 72 -3 50

10. - 27 +2 48 - 75

C. 11. 3 72m 2 - 5 32m 2 + 3 18m 2

12. - 3 54  2 3 16

13. 2 3 27 x  2 3 8 x

14. 5 4 32  3 4 162  184 2

15. 3 4 x5 y  2x 4 xy

D. Mental Math

Why

13
 are

Oysters greedy?

Perform and Simplify the following radicals. Write the letter in the box above its
correct answer. Keep working and you will discover the answer the questions.

H. 5 - 18 5 +4 5 -5 5 E. 4 7 + 7

R. 35 -6 5 I. 7 10 + 90

1
T. 27 - 3 3 F. 3 2 - 2 32
3

1
S. 2 27 - 3 48 + 75 Y. 4 27 + 5 7 -2 48
5

20 5
L. 3 16  3 3 54 A. 
2 4

35
-23 -185 57 43+57 2 335 - 65 57

_ _ _
-53 -185 57 1132 1132 -52 1010 -53 -185

Let ‘s Summarize

When working with radicals, remember the following:

14
 1. Put each radical into simplest form.

Sums and difference of radical expressions can be simplified by applying the

basic properties of real numbers.

The sum and difference of two radical expressions cannot be simplified if the
radicals have different indices and different radicands.

2. Perform any indicated operations, if possible.

3. Make sure the final answer is also in simplest radical

form.

What have you learned

A. Simplify each radical and perform the indicated operations.

1. 2 3 +4 3

2. 5 5 - 5

3. 6 3 +2 3 -3 3

4. 2 7 -5 7 -8 7

5. x 2 – 3x 2 + 5 2

6. 5 3a +5 3a -9 3a

7. 3 2 - 2 32

8. 12 + 5 8 -7 20

9. 6 2 - 5 8 +2 32

10. 7 72 +3 20 -4 5

1
11. 3 + 2
3

1 2
12. 6 + 2
2 3

15
 49
13. 10 - 50
2

3a 2
14. 20 3 -
9

15. 2ab  4
4a 2b 2

16
 Answer Key

How much do you know

1. 11 5

2. 7 3x

5
3. 3
6

4. 14 2a

5. 2 b

6. -3 5

7. 4 2

8. 6 10 x -6 7y

9. 11 5

10. 5 2x

Lesson 1

Try this out

A. 1. 9 2

2. 17 3

3. 25 7

4. 29 11

7
5. 13
6

B. 6. 12 + 6 3

7. 41 5

8. 28 a

17
 9. 13 3

10. 7 b

11. 15 5

12. 9 3x

3 3
13.
2

3xy 5
14.
2

19 6
15.
6

C. What’s the Message?

1. E: 5 7 + 3 9. U: 8 3

2. N: 16 2 10. H: 7y 7y

3. T: 53 11. O: 2 5

4. S: 7 10 12. L: 44a 5a

5. W: 28 x 13. R: 5x2 11 x

6. I: 27 14. C: 12 + 6 3

8
7. Q: 18 15. F:
7

8. Y: 2 +2 3 16. V: 43 2 + 14 3

18
 S U C C E

__ _ _ _ _ _
710 83 12 + 63 12+63 57+3
+3
S S I S

__ __ __
710 710 27 710
O N L Y

_ _ __ _ _
25 162 44a5a 2 +2 3
F O R T H O

8 _ ___ __ _
7 25 5x211x 53 7y7y 25
S E W H O

__ _ _ _ __ _
710 57 + 3 28x 7y7y 25
N E V E R

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___
432+ 143 2
162 57+3 57+3 5x 11x
Q U I T

_ _
183 83 27 53

The Message: SUCCESS IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO NEVER QUIT

Lesson 2

Try this out

A.
1. - 3

2. 7x

3. -4 6a

19
 4. - x

5. 2 3 - 10 2 - 14 5

B.
6. -4

7. 24 2

8. 0

9. 13 2

10. 0

C.
11. 7m 2

11. -7 3 2

12. 2 3 x

13. 19 4
2

15. x 4 xy

D. Mental Health

H. -18 5 E. 5 7

R. 35 -6 5 I. 10 10

T. -2 3 F. -5 3 2

S. -5 3 Y. 4 3 +5 7

3 5
L. 11 3 2 A.
2

20
Why are Oysters greedy?

T H E Y A R E
_ _ _ _ _ 35 __ _ _
-23 -185 57 43+57 2 335 - 65 57

S H E L L F I S H
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
-53 -185 57 11 2
3
11 23
-52 1010 -53 -185

What have you learned

1. 6 3

2. 4 5

3. 5 3

4. -11 7

5. -2x + 5 2

6. 3a

7. -5 2

8. 2 3 + 10 2 - 14 5

9. 4 2

10. 42 2 + 2 5

5 3
11.
3

11 2
12.
3

13. 30 2

21
 a 3 60  a 3
14. 20 - or
3 3

15. 2 2ab

22