Objective: Multiply and divide radical expressions and express the products and quotients in simplified forms.
Basic operations with radical expressions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) require a bit of additional explanation in order to understand how to work with the radical sign. In this lesson, we'll begin by learning how to multiply and divide radical expressions. But before we do this, we must have a thorough understanding of how to simplify radical expressions (Lesson 1) because it is required for each operation. Let's begin by learning the product rule for radical expressions which will help us understand how to multiply and then express the products in theirs simplified form.
Division works similarly to multiplication when it comes to radical expressions. In this next video, we'll learn the quotient rule for radical expressions and how to simplify their quotients. One additional step when simplifying quotients is rationalizing the denominator. To rationalize the denominator means to express the denominator without any radicals in it. This is not a complicated process, but an important one when simplifying quotients. This is also a step that many Algebra learners will forget to perform.
Complete the worksheet attachment below and then check your answers using the solutions attachment. Once you have completed these exercises, click the link to advance to the next lesson.