Radical and Complex Numbers

A radical expression is a mathematical expression that includes a radical symbol (√ ) and

a radicand, which is the number or expression under the radical symbol. The radical symbol
3
indicates a root, such as a square root (√ ), cube root ( √ ) , or higher-order roots. The index
or degree of the radical is the small number to the left of the radical symbol, indicating the type of
root being taken.

index 3
√125 radicand
Examples:
1. √4 4. √12𝑥 4
3 4
2. √27 5. √16𝑦 8
5
3. √63

Fractional Exponent
Fractional (rational) exponents are an alternate way to express radicals. If x is a real number
and m and n are positive integers:

𝑚 𝑛 𝑚
𝑛
𝑥𝑛 = √𝑥 𝑚 𝑜𝑟 ( √𝑥)
The denominator of the fractional exponent becomes the index (root) of the radical. The
numerator of the fractional exponent becomes the power of the value under the radical symbol or
the power of the entire radical.

Example. Express the following into radical form.

2 2
3
1. 𝑎3 = ( √𝑎)
1
4
2. 𝑏 4 = √𝑏
2 2
5
3. 7 = ( √7)
5
3 3
4
4. 64 = ( √6)
1
6
5. 26 = √2

Example. Express the following into exponential form.

5 5
3
1. ( √5) = 53
1
4
2. √3 = 34
2 2
3
3. ( √𝑎) = 𝑎3
6 6
5
4. ( √5) = 55
1
3
5. √𝑏 = 𝑏 3
Properties of Rational Exponent
There are rules to be followed that help us to multiply or divide numbers with fractional
exponents easily.

Product of Powers (𝑎𝑚 )(𝑎𝑛 ) = 𝑎𝑚+𝑚

Example
2 1 2 1 4+3 7
(𝑎3 ) (𝑎2 ) = 𝑎3+2 = 𝑎 6 = 𝑎6

𝑎𝑚
Quotient of Power = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛
𝑎𝑛

Example
4
53 4 1 3
1 = 53−3 = 53 = 51 = 5
53
Power of Power (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛
Example
2 3 2 3
( )(3)
(23 ) = 23 = 23 = 21 = 2

Power of a Product (𝑎𝑏)𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑚

Example
1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1
(8𝑝)3 = 83 𝑝3 = (23 )3 𝑝3 = 23 𝑝3 = 21 𝑝3 = 2𝑝3

𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚
Power of a Quotient (𝑏 ) = 𝑏 𝑚

Example
1 1 1 2
4 2 42 (22 )2 22 21 2
( ) = 1= 1 = 2 = 1 =
25 5 5
252 (52 )2 52
1
Negative Exponent 𝑎 −𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚

Example
1 1 1 1 1 1
27−3 = 1 = 1 = 3 = =
(33 )3 31 3
273 33
Simplifying Rational Expression
To simplify radical expressions, you can follow these general steps:
A. Simplifying Radicals with Numbers:
1. Identify perfect square factors: Look for factors of the radicand that are perfect
squares (e.g., 4, 9, 16, etc.).
2. Simplify the radical: Take the square root of the perfect square factor and move it
outside the radical symbol.
3. Multiply the simplified radical with any remaining factors inside the radical.
B. Simplifying Radicals with Variables:
1. Apply similar principles as simplifying radicals with numbers.
2. Identify perfect square factors of variables and simplify them.
3. Combine like terms if necessary.
C. Simplifying Radical Expressions with Fractions:
1. Simplify the fraction before simplifying the radical expression.
2. Simplify the numerator and denominator separately, if possible.
3. If the fraction is still under the radical, consider rewriting it as two separate radical
expressions (one in the numerator and one in the denominator) and simplify each
separately.

Example 1. Simplify each radical expression.

1. √25 𝑐8
7. √𝑏10
2. √72
3. √𝑎2 8. √3
7

4. √48𝑏 3
3 4 81𝑑 8
5. √27𝑠 6 9. √16𝑒 12
1
6. √ 3 54𝑐 5
2 10. √24𝑑6

Solution
1. √25 = 5

2. √72 = √(36)(2) =√36 ⦁ √2 = 6 ⦁ √2 = 6√2

3. √𝑎2 = 𝑎

4. √48𝑏 3 = √(16)(3)(𝑏 2 )(𝑏) = √16 ⦁ √𝑏 2 ⦁ √3 ⦁ √𝑏 = 4𝑏√3𝑏

3 3
5. √27𝑠 6 = √(3)(3)(3)(𝑠 2 )(𝑠 2 )(𝑠 2 ) = 3𝑠 2

1 √1 1 √2 √2 √2 √2
6. √ = = ⦁ = = =
2 √2 √2 √2 √(2)(2) √4 2

𝑐8 √(𝑐 4 )(𝑐 4 ) 𝑐4
7. √ = =
𝑏10 √(𝑏5 )(𝑏5 ) 𝑏5

7 √7 √3 √(7)(3) √21 √21

8. √3 = ⦁ = = =
√3 √3 √(3)(3) √9 3

4 4
4 81𝑑 8 √81𝑑 8 √(3)(3)(3)(3)(𝑑 2 )(𝑑 2 )(𝑑 2 )(𝑑 2 ) 3𝑑 2
9. √16𝑒 12 = 4 = 4 = 2𝑒 3
√16𝑒 12 √(2)(2)(2)(2)(𝑒 3 )(𝑒 3 )(𝑒 3 )(𝑒 3 )
 3 3 3 3
3 54𝑐 5 3 (6)(9)𝑐 5 3 9𝑐 5 √9(𝑐)(𝑐)(𝑐)(𝑐 2 ) 𝑐 √9𝑐 2 √16 𝑐 √(9)(16)(𝑐 2 )
10. √24𝑑6 = √(6)(4)𝑑6 = √4𝑑6 = 3 = 3 ⦁3 = 3
√4(𝑑 2 )(𝑑 2 )(𝑑 2 ) 𝑑 2 √4 √16 𝑑 2 √(4)(16)

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
𝑐 √144𝑐 2 𝑐 √144𝑐 2 𝑐 √(8)(18)𝑐 2 𝑐 ⦁ √8 ⦁ √18𝑐 2 𝑐 ⦁ 2 ⦁ √18𝑐 2 2𝑐 √18𝑐 2 𝑐 √18𝑐 2
= 3 = = = = = =
𝑑 2 √64 4𝑑 2 4𝑑 2 4𝑑 2 4𝑑 2 4𝑑 2 2𝑑 2

Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions

To add or subtract radical expressions, you need to follow certain rules. Here are the steps
to add and subtract radical expressions:
1. Check the index and radicand: Before adding or subtracting radical expressions, make
sure that the index and radicand of the radicals are the same. If they are not the same, you
cannot combine the radicals.
2. Combine like terms: If the index and radicand of the radicals are the same, you can
combine the like terms. Add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms while keeping the
radical part the same.
3. Simplify if possible: After combining the like terms, simplify the resulting expression if
possible.

Example 1. Add or subtract the following Radical Expressions.

1. 2√2 + 4√2 5. √12 + √27 − √3
2. 11√7 − 4√7 6. √50 + √32 − √8
3. 2√3𝑥 + 5√3𝑥 7. √63 − 2√28 + 5√7
4. 3√10 − 2√10 + √10 8. 5√2𝑦 2 − 3𝑦√8
Solution:
1. 2√2 + 4√2 = 6√2
2. 11√7 − 4√7 = 7√7
3. 2√3𝑥 + 5√3𝑥 = 7√3𝑥
4. 3√10 − 2√10 + √10 = (3 − 2 + 1) √10 = 2√10
5. √12 + √27 − √3 = √4 ⦁ √3 + √9 ⦁ √3 − √3 = 2√3 + 3√3 − √3 = (2 + 3 − 1)√3
= 4√3
6. √50 + √32 − √8 = √25 ⦁ √2 + √16 ⦁ √2 − √4 ⦁ √2
= 5√2 + 4√2 − 2√2 = (5 + 4 − 2)√2 = 7√2
7. √63 − 2√28 + 5√7 = √9 ⦁ √7 − 2√4 ⦁ √7 + 5√7 = 3√7 − (2)(2)√7 + 5√7
= 3√7 − 4√7 + 5√7 = (3 − 4 + 5)√7 = 4√7

8. 5√2𝑦 2 − 3𝑦√8 = 5√𝑦 2 ⦁ √2 − 3𝑦√4 ⦁ √2 = 5𝑦√2 − (3)(2)𝑦√2 = 5𝑦√2 − 6𝑦√2

= (5𝑦 − 6𝑦)√2 = −𝑦√2

Multiplication and Division of Radical Expression
When multiplying radicals with the same indices, apply the product rule for radicals:
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
√𝑎 ⦁ √𝑏 = √(𝑎)(𝑏)
Example: Multiply each
1. √12 ⦁ √3
3 3
2. √3 ⦁ √9
3. √𝑦 ⦁ √𝑦 5

4. 2√2𝑦 ⦁ 3√2𝑦 3

5. √3𝑏 ⦁ 5√𝑏 2
Solution
1. √12 ⦁ √3 = √(12)(3) = √36 = 6
3 3 3 3
2. √3 ⦁ √9 = √(3)(9) = √27 = 3

3. √𝑦 ⦁ √𝑦 5 = √(𝑦)(𝑦 5 ) = √𝑦 6 = 𝑦 3

4. 2√2𝑦 ⦁ 3√2𝑦 3 = (2)(3)√(2)(2)(𝑦)(𝑦 3 ) = 6√4𝑦 4 = (6)(2)𝑦 2 = 12𝑦 2

5. √3𝑏 ⦁ 5√𝑏 2 = 5√3(𝑏)(𝑏 2 ) = 5√3𝑏 3

When multiplying radicals with different indices and the same radicand, follow these steps:
1. Transform the radicals to powers with rational exponents.
2. Multiply the powers by applying the rule 𝑥 𝑚 ⦁𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚+𝑛
3. Rewrite the product as a single radical

Example: Multiply each

3
1. √5 ⦁ √5
4 3
2. √3 ⦁ √3
3. 4√𝑦 ⦁ √𝑦 5
Solution:
1 1 1 1 3+2 5
6
1. √5 ⦁ √5 = 52 ⦁ 53 = 52+3 = 5
3 6
6 = 56 = √55 = √3125
1 1 1 1 3+4 7
2. √3 ⦁ √3 = 34 ⦁ 33 = 34+3 = 3 12 = 312 = √37 = √2187
4 3 12 12

1 5 1 5 1+10 11
3. 4√𝑦 ⦁ √𝑦 5 = 𝑦 4 ⦁ 𝑦 2 = 𝑦 4+2 = 𝑦
4 4
4 = 𝑦 4 = √𝑦11 = 𝑦 2 √𝑦 3

When multiplying radicals with different indices and the different radicands.
1. Transform the radicals to powers with rational exponents
2. Change the rational exponent into similar fractions.
3. Rewrite the product as a single radical.
4. Simplify the result radical, if necessary.
Example: Multiply each.
3
1. √2 ⦁ √3
3 4
2. √2 ⦁ √4
5 3
3. √3 ⦁ √2
Solution
1 1 2 3
3 6 6 6 6 6 6
1. √2 ⦁ √3 = 23 ⦁ 32 = 26 ⦁ 36 = √22 ⦁ √33 = √4 ⦁ √27 = √(4)(27) = √108
1 1 4 3
3 4 12 12 12 12 12 12
2. √2 ⦁ √4 = 23 ⦁ 44 = 212 ⦁ 412 = √24 ⦁ √43 = √16 ⦁ √64 = √(16)(64) = √1024
1 1 3 5
5 3 15 15 15 15 15 15
3. √3 ⦁ √2 = 55 ⦁ 23 = 515 ⦁ 215 = √53 ⦁ √25 = √125 ⦁ √32 = √(16)(64) = √4000

Multiplying a Polynomial Radical Expression

To multiply a polynomial radical expression, apply the distributive property of
multiplication and combine similar terms.

Multiplication of Polynomial Radical Expression by a Monomial

Example: Multiply each.
1. (√2)(√3 + 2) = (√3)(√2) + (2)(√2) = √6 + 2√2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
2. ( √3)(2 √4 − 4) = ( √3)(2 √4) − ( √3)(4) = 2 √12 − 4 √3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
3. ( √5)(2 √3 + 5 √2) = ( √5)(2 √3) + ( √5)(5 √2) = 2 √15 + 5 √10

Multiplication of Two Polynomial Expressions

Example: Multiply each.
1. (√2 + 1)(√3 + 2) = (√2)(√3) + (√2)(2) + (1)(√3) + (1)(2)
= √6 + 2√2 + √3 + 2
2. (√3 − 2)(√3 + 2) = (√3)(√3) + (√3)(2) + (−2)(√3) + (−2)(2)
= √9 + 2√3 − 2√3 − 4
=3−4
= −1

Dividing Radicals
To divide radical expressions with the same index, apply the quotient rule for radicals:
𝑚
√𝐴 𝑚 𝐴
𝑀 = √
√𝐵 𝐵

Example. Divide the following.

√32
1.
√2

√9
2.
√25
 √6
3.
√2

121
4. √ 36

√9𝑥
5.
√3𝑥

30𝑥 9
6. √160𝑥 5

Solution
√32 32
1. = √ 2 = √16 = 4
√2

√9 3
2. =5
√25

√6 6
3. = √2 = √3
√2

121 √121 11
4. √ 36 = =
√36 6

√9𝑥 9 𝑥
5. = √3 ⦁ √𝑥 = √3 ⦁ √1 = √3
√3𝑥

30𝑥 9 30 𝑥9 3 √3 𝑥 2 √3
6. √160𝑥 5 = √160 ⦁ √𝑥 5 = √16 ⦁ √𝑥 9−5 = ⦁ √𝑥 4 = 4
√16

Rationalizing the Denominator

3
When a radical contains an expression that is not a perfect root, for example, √3 or √5 it is
called an irrational number. In order to rationalize the denominator, we need to get rid of all
radicals that are in the denominator.

Step 1: Multiply numerator and denominator by a radical that will get rid of the radical in
the denominator.
If the radical in the denominator is a square root, then you multiply by a square root that will give
you a perfect square under the radical when multiplied by the denominator. If the radical in the
denominator is a cube root, then you multiply by a cube root that will give you a perfect cube
under the radical when multiplied by the denominator and so forth...Note that the phrase "perfect
square" means that you can take the square root of it. Just as "perfect cube" means we can take
the cube root of the number, and so forth. Keep in mind that as long as you multiply the numerator
and denominator by the exact same thing, the fractions will be equivalent.

Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified.

Some radicals will already be in a simplified form, but make sure you simplify the ones that are
not.

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

Be careful. You cannot cancel out a factor that is on the outside of a radical with one that is on
the inside of the radical. In order to cancel out common factors, they have to be both inside the
same radical or be both outside the radical.
Example.
√5 √5 √3 √(5)(3) √15 √15
1. = ⦁ = = =
√3 √3 √3 √(3)(3) √9 3
3 3 3 3 3 3
√3 √3 √4 √(3)(4) √12 √12
2. 3 = 3 ⦁ 3 = 3 = 3 =
√2 √2 √4 √(2)(4) √8 2
4 4 4 4 4 4
√2 √2 √27 √(2)(27) √54 √54
3. 4 = 4 ⦁ 4 = 4 = 4 =
√3 √3 √27 √(3)(27) √81 3
3
√3
4.
√3
From this example, indices are different.
1
33
To solve, transform radical to rational exponent. 1
32
1 1 2 3
Since the exponent is different, we will make it similar fraction, that is 3 and 2 to 6 and 6
Transform it back to radicals. Then rationalize the denominator.
1 2 6 6 6 6
3 6
√3 33 36 √32 √33 √(32 )(33 ) √35 √35
= 1 = 3 = 6 ⦁ 6 = 6 = 6 =
√3 32 36 √33 √33 √(33 )(33 ) √36 3