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Surds: Rule 1

Surds are irrational numbers represented by a root symbol (√) that have an infinite non-recurring decimal value. There are rules for simplifying expressions with surds, including rationalizing the denominator to eliminate surds in the denominator. To simplify surds, the largest perfect square factor is found by looking at factors of the number being squared that can be multiplied to give the original number. Six rules are provided for rationalizing denominators involving surds through multiplying the numerator and denominator. Practice questions are also included to apply the rules for simplifying surds.

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31 views8 pages

Surds: Rule 1

Surds are irrational numbers represented by a root symbol (√) that have an infinite non-recurring decimal value. There are rules for simplifying expressions with surds, including rationalizing the denominator to eliminate surds in the denominator. To simplify surds, the largest perfect square factor is found by looking at factors of the number being squared that can be multiplied to give the original number. Six rules are provided for rationalizing denominators involving surds through multiplying the numerator and denominator. Practice questions are also included to apply the rules for simplifying surds.

Uploaded by

Altrupassionate girl
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Surds

Introduction
Surds are numbers left in root form (√) to express its exact value. It has an infinite number of
non-recurring decimals. Therefore, surds are irrational numbers.

There are certain rules that we follow to simplify an expression involving surds.
Rationalising the denominator is one way to simplify these expressions. It is done by
eliminating the surd in the denominator. This is shown in Rules 3, 5 and 6.

It can often be necessary to find the largest perfect square factor in order to simplify surds.
The largest perfect square factor is found by looking at any possible factors of the number
that is being square rooted. Let’s say that you are looking at the square root of 242. Can you
simplify this? Well, 2 x 121 is 242 and we can take the square root of 121 without leaving a
surd (because we get 11). Since we cannot take the square root of a larger number that can be
multiplied by another to give 242 then we say that 121 is the largest perfect square factor.

Six Rules of Surds


Rule 1:

An Example:

Simplify :

Since , as 9 is the largest perfect square factor of 18.


Rule 2:

An Example:

Simplify :

Rule 3:

By multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the denominator you can rationalise
the denominator.

An Example:

rationalise :
Rule 4:

An Example:

Simplify :

Rule 5:

Following this rule enables you to rationalise the denominator.

An Example:

Rationalise :

Rule 6:

Following this rule enables you to rationalise the denominator.

An Example:

Rationalise :
Practice Questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3
Question 4

Question 5

Question 6
Question 7

Question 8

Question 9
Question 10

Question 11

Question 12
Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19

Question 20

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