1.4.4: Adding, Subtracting and Multiplying Radical Expressions
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Add and subtract radical expressions
- Multiply radical expressions
- Use polynomial multiplication to multiply radical expressions
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
- Add \(3x^{2}+9x−5−(x^{2}−2x+3)\).
- Simplify \((2+a)(4−a)\).
- Simplify \((9−5y)^{2}\).
Add and Subtract Radical Expressions
Adding radical expressions with the same index and the same radicand is just like adding like terms. We call radicals with the same index and the same radicand like radicals to remind us they work the same as like terms.
Like radicals are radical expressions with the same index and the same radicand.
We add and subtract like radicals in the same way we add and subtract like terms. We know that \(3x+8x\) is \(11x\). Similarly we add \(3 \sqrt{x}+8 \sqrt{x}\) and the result is \(11 \sqrt{x}\).
Let's think about adding like terms with variables as we do the next few examples. When we have like radicals, we just add or subtract the coefficients. When the radicals are not like, we cannot combine the terms.
Simplify \(2 \sqrt{2}-7 \sqrt{2}\).
One should think of \(\sqrt{2}\) as an object and then count: 2 objects -7 objects is -5 objects.
- Solution
-
\(\quad 2 \sqrt{2}-7 \sqrt{2}\) Since the radicals are like, we subtract the coefficients.
\(=-5\sqrt {2}\)
Simplify \(8 \sqrt{2}-9 \sqrt{2}\).
- Answer
-
\(-\sqrt{2}\)
Simplify \(5 \sqrt{3}-9 \sqrt{3}\).
- Answer
-
\(-4 \sqrt{3}\)
For radicals to be like, they must have the same index and radicand. When the radicands contain more than one variable, as long as all the variables and their exponents are identical, the radicands are the same.
Simplify \(2 \sqrt{5 n}-6 \sqrt{5 n}+4 \sqrt{5 n}\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad 2 \sqrt{5 n}-6 \sqrt{5 n}+4 \sqrt{5 n}\) Since the radicals are like, we combine them. \(=0 \sqrt{5 n}\) Simplify. \(=0\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{7 x}-7 \sqrt{7 x}+4 \sqrt{7 x}\).
- Answer
-
\(-2 \sqrt{7 x}\)
Simplify \(4 \sqrt{3 y}-7 \sqrt{3 y}+2 \sqrt{3 y}\).
- Answer
-
\(-\sqrt{3 y}\)
Remember that we always simplify radicals by removing the largest factor from the radicand that is a power of the index. Once each radical is simplified, we can then decide if they are like radicals.
Simplify \(\sqrt{20}+3 \sqrt{5}\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad\sqrt{20}+3 \sqrt{5}\) Simplify the radicals, when possible. \(=\sqrt{4} \cdot \sqrt{5}+3 \sqrt{5}\) Simplify. \(=2 \sqrt{5}+3 \sqrt{5}\)
Combine the like radicals. \(=5 \sqrt{5}\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{18}+6 \sqrt{2}\).
- Answer
-
\(9 \sqrt{2}\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{27}+4 \sqrt{3}\).
- Answer
-
\(7 \sqrt{3}\)
In the next example, we will remove both constant and variable factors from the radicals. Now that we have practiced taking both the even and odd roots of variables, it is common practice at this point for us to assume all variables are greater than or equal to zero so that absolute values are not needed. We will use this assumption thoughout the rest of this chapter.
Simplify \(9 \sqrt{50 m^{2}}-6 \sqrt{48 m^{2}}\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad 9 \sqrt{50 m^{2}}-6 \sqrt{48 m^{2}}\)
Simplify the radicals. \(=9 \sqrt{25 m^{2}}\cdot \sqrt{2}-6 \sqrt{16 m^{2}}\cdot\sqrt{3}\)
Simplify, \(=9\cdot 5 m\cdot \sqrt{2}-6\cdot 4m\cdot\sqrt{3}\) The radicals are not like and so cannot be combined. \(=45m \sqrt{2}-24m\sqrt{3}\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{32 m^{7}}-\sqrt{50 m^{7}}\).
- Answer
-
\(-m^{3} \sqrt{2 m}\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{27 p^{3}}-\sqrt{48 p^{3}}\).
- Answer
-
\(-p \sqrt{3 p}\)
Multiply Radical Expressions
We have used the Product Property of Roots to simplify square roots by removing the perfect square factors. We can use the Product Property of Roots ‘in reverse’ to multiply square roots. Remember, we assume all variables are greater than or equal to zero.
We will rewrite the Product Property of Roots so we see both ways together.
For any real numbers, \(\sqrt{a}\) and \(\sqrt{b}\), we have
\(\sqrt{a b}=\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} \quad \text { and } \quad \sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b}=\sqrt{a b}.\)
When we multiply two radicals, they must have the same index. Once we multiply the radicals, we then look for factors that are a power of the index and simplify the radical whenever possible.
Multiplying radicals with coefficients is much like multiplying variables with coefficients. To multiply \(4x⋅3y\) we multiply the coefficients together and then the variables. The result is \(12xy\). Keep this in mind as you do these examples.
Simplify \((6 \sqrt{2})(3 \sqrt{10})\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad(6 \sqrt{2})(3 \sqrt{10})\) Multiply using the Product Property. \(=18\sqrt{20}\) Simplify the radical. \(=18 \sqrt{4} \cdot \sqrt{5}\) Simplify. \(=18 \cdot 2 \cdot \sqrt{5}\) Simplify. \(=36 \sqrt{5}\)
Simplify \((3 \sqrt{2})(2 \sqrt{30})\).
- Answer
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\(12 \sqrt{15}\)
Simplify \((3 \sqrt{3})(3 \sqrt{6})\).
- Answer
-
\(27 \sqrt{2}\)
We follow the same procedures when there are variables in the radicands.
Simplify \(\left(10 \sqrt{6 p^{3}}\right)(4 \sqrt{3 p})\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad\left(10 \sqrt{6 p^{3}}\right)(4 \sqrt{3 p})\) Multiply. \(=40 \sqrt{18 p^{4}}\) Simplify the radical. \(=40 \sqrt{9 p^{4}} \cdot \sqrt{2}\) Simplify. \(=40 \cdot 3 p^{2} \cdot \sqrt{2}\) Simplify. \(=120 p^{2} \sqrt{2}\)
Simplify \(\left(6 \sqrt{6 x^{2}}\right)\left(8 \sqrt{30 x^{4}}\right)\).
- Answer
-
\(36 x^{3} \sqrt{5}\)
Simplify \(\left(2 \sqrt{6 y^{4}}\right)(12 \sqrt{30 y})\).
- Answer
-
\(144 y^{2} \sqrt{5 y}\)
Use Polynomial Multiplication to Multiply Radical Expressions
In the next a few examples, we will use the Distributive Property to multiply expressions with radicals. First we will distribute and then simplify the radicals when possible.
Simplify \(\sqrt{6}(\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{18})\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad\sqrt{6}(\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{18})\) Multiply. \(=\sqrt{12}+\sqrt{108}\)
Simplify. \(=\sqrt{4} \cdot \sqrt{3}+\sqrt{36} \cdot \sqrt{3}\) Simplify. \(=2 \sqrt{3}+6 \sqrt{3}\) Combine like radicals. \(=8\sqrt{3}\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{6}(1+3 \sqrt{6})\).
- Answer
-
\(18+\sqrt{6}\)
Simplify \(\sqrt{8}(2-5 \sqrt{8})\).
- Answer
-
\(-40+4 \sqrt{2}\)
When we worked with polynomials, we multiplied binomials by binomials. Remember, this gave us four products before we combined any like terms. To be sure to get all four products, we organized our work—usually by the FOIL method.
Simplify \((3-2 \sqrt{7})(4-2 \sqrt{7})\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad (3-2 \sqrt{7})(4-2 \sqrt{7})\) Multiply. \(=12-6\sqrt{7}-8\sqrt{7}+4\left(\sqrt{7}\right)^2\) Simplify. \(=12-6\sqrt{7}-8\sqrt{7}+4\cdot 7\)
\(=12-6\sqrt{7}-8\sqrt{7}+28\)
Combine like terms. \(=40-14\sqrt{7}\)
Simplify \((6-3 \sqrt{7})(3+4 \sqrt{7})\).
- Answer
-
\(-66+15 \sqrt{7}\)
Simplify \((2-3 \sqrt{11})(4-\sqrt{11})\).
- Answer
-
\(41-14 \sqrt{11}\)
Simplify \((3 \sqrt{2}-\sqrt{5})(\sqrt{2}+4 \sqrt{5})\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad (3 \sqrt{2}-\sqrt{5})(\sqrt{2}+4 \sqrt{5})\) Multiply. \(=3\left(\sqrt{2}\right)^2+12\sqrt{2}\sqrt{5}-\sqrt{5}\sqrt{2}-4\left(\sqrt{5}\right)^2\) Simplify. \(=6+12 \sqrt{10}-\sqrt{10}-20\) Combine like terms. \(=-14+11 \sqrt{10}\)
Simplify \((5 \sqrt{3}-\sqrt{7})(\sqrt{3}+2 \sqrt{7})\).
- Answer
-
\(1+9 \sqrt{21}\)
Simplify \((\sqrt{6}-3 \sqrt{8})(2 \sqrt{6}+\sqrt{8})\).
- Answer
-
\(-12-20 \sqrt{3}\)
Recognizing some special products made our work easier when we multiplied binomials earlier. This is true when we multiply radicals, too. The special product formulas we used are shown here.
Special Products
Binomial Squares
Product of Conjugates
\((a+b)(a-b)=a^{2}-b^{2}\)
We will use the special product formulas in the next few examples. We will start with the Product of Binomial Squares Pattern .
Simplify:
a. \((2+\sqrt{3})^{2}\)
b. \((4-2 \sqrt{5})^{2}\)
- Solution
-
a.
\(\quad \underbrace{(2+\sqrt{3})^{2}}_{(a+b)^2}\) Multiply using the Product of Binomial Squares Pattern, \((a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2\), or FOIL \((a+b)(a+b)\). \(=\underbrace{2^2+2\cdot 2 \sqrt 3 + \left(\sqrt 3\right)^2}_{a^2+2ab+b^2}\) Simplify. \(=4+4\sqrt 3 + 3\) Combine like terms. \(=7+4\sqrt 3\) b.
\(\quad \underbrace{(4-2 \sqrt{5})^{2}}_{(a-b)^2}\)
Multiple, using the Product of Binomial Squares Pattern, \((a-b)^2=a^2-2ab+b^2\), or FOIL \((a-b)(a-b)\). \(=\underbrace{4^2+2\cdot 4\cdot 2 \sqrt 5 + \left(2\sqrt 5\right)^2}_{a^2-2ab+b^2} \)
Simplify. \(=16-16\sqrt 5 + 4\cdot 5\)
\(=16-16\sqrt 5 + 20\)
Combine like terms. \(=36-16\sqrt 5\)
Simplify:
a. \((10+\sqrt{2})^{2}\)
b. \((1+3 \sqrt{6})^{2}\)
- Answer
-
a. \(102+20 \sqrt{2}\)
b. \(55+6 \sqrt{6}\)
Simplify:
a. \((6-\sqrt{5})^{2}\)
b. \((9-2 \sqrt{10})^{2}\)
- Answer
-
a. \(41-12 \sqrt{5}\)
b. \(121-36 \sqrt{10}\)
In the next example, we will use the Product of Conjugates Pattern. Notice that the final product has no radical.
Simplify \((5-2 \sqrt{3})(5+2 \sqrt{3})\).
- Solution
-
\(\quad \underbrace{(5-2 \sqrt{3})(5+2 \sqrt{3})}_{\color{red}{(a-b)(a+b)}}\)
Multiply using the Product of Conjugates Pattern. \(=\underbrace{5^2-\left(2\sqrt{3}\right)^2}_{\color{red}{a^2-b^2}}\)
Simplify. \(=25-4\cdot 3\)
Simplify. \(=13\)
Simplify \((3-2 \sqrt{5})(3+2 \sqrt{5})\).
- Answer
-
\(-11\)
Simplify \((4+5 \sqrt{7})(4-5 \sqrt{7})\).
- Answer
-
\(-159\)
- Explain how the product property of roots is related to a property of exponents.
- How can you see that \(2\sqrt{7}-4\sqrt{7}=-2\sqrt{7}\) by using a variable and what you know about simplifying polynomials?
- Why do often need to simplify radical expressions before adding them? Give an example.
- What are like radicals? What is their role in adding and subtracting radicals?
- Based on the definition of \(\sqrt x\), why is \((\sqrt x)^2=x\)?
- If we write the \(\sqrt{\;}\) using rational exponents, what property of exponents is this equality related to?
(a) Simplify \(3\sqrt{80}-5\sqrt{45}\).
(b) Expand \(\left(2\sqrt a - \sqrt{ab}\right)^2\).
Key Concepts
-
Product Property of Roots
- For any real numbers, \(\sqrt{a}\) and \(\sqrt{b}\), and \(\sqrt{a b}=\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b}\) and \(\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b}=\sqrt{a b}\), or in the language of exponents: \((ab)^\frac12=a^\frac12 b^\frac12\).
- Special Products