HOW TO MULTIPLY RADICAL EXPRESSIONS

How to multiply radical expression ?

To multiply two radical terms, we will use the rules given below.

√a x √b = √(axb)

a√b x c√d = (axc)√(bxd)

3√a x 3√b = 3√(axb)

  • If we have two same values inside the square root sign, and that are multiplied, we can take one value out of the radical sign.
  • If we have composite number inside the square root sign, we have to decompose it as much as possible and take one numerical value out of the the radical for every two same values.

Problem 1 :

√6 × 4√6

Solution :

Using the property, a√b × c√b= (a×c)√b√b

√6 × 4√6 = (1×4)√(6×6)

Since we see two same values inside the radical sign, we take one out of it.

= 4 × 6

= 24

Problem 2 :

-√5 × √20

Solution :

-√5 × √20 = √(5 x 20)

= -√(5 × 5 × 2 × 2)

We see two 5’s and  2’s. So, take one out of it.

= -5×2

= -10

Problem 3 :

-√2 × √3

Solution :

-√2 × √3 = (-1 × 1)√(2 × 3)

Since we see the different values inside the radical sign, multiply it.

= -√6

Problem 4:

4√8 × √2

Solution :

4√8 × √2 = 4√(8x2)

= (4×1)√(2×2×2×2)

2 is repeated 4 times, so take two 2's. 

= 4×2×2

= 16

Problem 5 :

√12×√15

Solution :

√12 × √15 = √(12 × 15)

= √(2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5)

We see two 2’s and 3’s and once 5. so take one out of it.

= 2 × 3√5

= 6√5

Problem 6 :

√5 × (-2√5)

Solution :

√5×-2√5 = (-2 × 1)√(5 × 5)

Since we see two same values inside the radical sign, we take one out of it. 

= -2 × 5

= -10

Problem 7 :

-3√5 ×√20

Solution :

-3√5×√20 = (-3×1)√(5 × 20)

= (-3×1)√(5 × 5 × 2 × 2)

We see two 5’s and  2’s. so take one out of it.

= -3 × 5 × 2

= -30

Problem 8 :

√15 × 3√5

Solution :

√15×3√5 = (3×1) √(15 × 5)

= 3√(3 × 5 × 5)

We see two 5’s and one 3.

= 3×5√3

=15√3

Problem 9 :

√9 ×√3

Solution :

√9×√3 = √(9 × 3)

= (3 ×  3 × 3)

For two same 3's, we take one out of the radical.

= 3√3

Problem 10 :

-4√8 ×√10

Solution :

-4√8 × √10 = (-4 × 1)√(8 × 10)

= (-4×1)√(2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 5)

= -4 × 2 × 2√5

= -16√5

Problem 11 :

Express (√3 - √2)2 in simplest form.

Solution :

(√3 - √2)2

Using algebraic identity (a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2

(√3 - √2)2 = √32 - 2√3√2 + √22

= 3 - 2√(3 x 2) + 2

= 5 - 2√6

Problem 12 :

The radius of the circle is 3√5 cm. If a square is inscribed in a circle 

a) determine tehe exact length of the diagonal of a square

b)  Determine the exact perimeter of the square.

Solution :

multiplying-radicals-q1

a) Length of the diagonal = 2 x radius

= 2 x 3√5

= 6√5 cm

b) Perimeter of square 

Let x be the side length of the square.

diagonal2 = x+ x

(6√5)2 = 2x2

36(5) = 2x2

x2 = 18(5)

x = √90

x = √3 x 3 x 10

x = 3√10

Area of square = x (x)

= x2

= 90 cm2

Problem 13 :

The length of a rectangle is 2 √48 and width is 6√3. Express in the simplest form.

a) The area of the rectangle

b) The perimeter of the rectangle.

Solution :

a)  

Length = 2 √48

Width = 6√3

Area of rectangle = length x width

2√48 (6√3)

= 12√(48 x 3)

= 12√(4 x 4 x 3 x 3)

= 12 x 4 x 3

= 144 square units

b) Perimeter of rectangle = 2(length + width)

= 2(2√48 + 6√3)

= 2(2√(4 x 4 x 3 x 3) + 6√3)

= 2 (24 + 6√3)

= 2(6)(4 + √3)

= 12(4 + √3) units.

Problem 14 :

The area of the rectangle is 20√50 and length is 4√2, what is the width ?

Solution :

Area of rectangle = length x width

Area of rectangle = 20√50, length = 4√2, width = x(assuming)

20√50 = 4√2 ⋅ x

x = 20√50 / 4√2

x = 5(√50 / √2)

x = 5(√(5⋅5⋅2) / √2)

= 5⋅5(√2/√2)

= 25

So, the width of the rectangle is 25 units.

Problem 15 :

If the perimeter of the rectangle is 12√3 and the length is 2√12, what is the width ?

Solution :

Perimeter of rectangle = 12√3

length = 2√12

Width = x(Assuming)

12√3 = 2(2√12 + x)

12√3/2 = (2√12 + x)

6√3 = (2√12 + x)

x = 6√3 - 2√12

= 6√3 - 2√(2 x 2 x 3)

= 6√3 - 2 x 2√3

= 6√3 - 4√3

= 2√3 units.

Problem 16 :

The area of the parallelogram is 8√90 and the base is 2√5. What is the height of the parallelogram ?

Solution :

Area of parallelogram = base height

Let x be the height of the parallelogram.

8√90 = 2√5 ⋅ x

x = 8√90/2√5

= 4(√90/√5)

= 4(√3 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 5)/√5)

= (4 ⋅ 3)(√10/√5)

= 12√10/√5

To rationalize the denominator, we have to multiply by √5 in both numerator and denominator.

= 12(√10 / √5) ⋅ (√5/√5)

= 12(√10√5 / 5)

= (12 ⋅ 5) √2/5

= 12√2


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