Section 9.

4 Radical Expressions 941

9.4 Exercises
√
In Exercises 1-14, place each of the rad- 18. −3(4 − 3 2)
ical expressions in simple radical form. √ √
Check your answer with your calculator. 19. 2(2 + 2)
√ √ √
1. 2(5 7) 20. 3(4 −
6)
√ √ √ √
2. −3(2 3) 21. 2( 10 + 14)
√ √ √ √ √
3. − 3(2 5) 22. 3( 15 − 33)
√ √
4. 2(3 7)
In Exercises 23-30, combine like terms.
√ √ Place your final answer in simple radical
5. 3(5 6)
form. Check your solution with your cal-
√ √ culator.
6. 2(−3 10)
√ √ √ √
7. (2 5)(−3 3) 23. −5 2 + 7 2
√ √ √ √
8. (−5 2)(−2 7) 24. 2 3+3 3
√ √ √ √
9. (−4 3)(2 6) 25. 2 6−8 6
√ √ √ √
10. (2 5)(−3 10) 26. 7−3 7
√ √ √ √
11. (2 3)2 27. 2 3−4 2+3 3
√ √ √ √
12. (−3 5)2 28. 7 5+2 7−3 5
√ √ √ √ √
13. (−5 2)2 29. 2 3+5 2−7 3+2 2
√ √ √ √ √
14. (7 11)2 30. 3 11 − 2 7 − 2 11 + 4 7

In Exercises 15-22, use the distributive In Exercises 31-40, combine like terms
property to multiply. Place your final where possible. Place your final answer
answer in simple radical form. Check in simple radical form. Use your calcu-
your result with your calculator. lator to check your result.
√ √ √
15. 2(3 + 5) 31. 45 + 20
√ √ √
16. −3(4 − 7) 32. −4 45 − 4 20
√ √ √
17. 2(−5 + 4 2) 33. 2 18 − 8

1
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Version: Fall 2007

942 Chapter 9 Radical Functions

√ √
34. − 20 + 4 45 In Exercises 49-60, multiply to expand
√ √ each of the given radical expressions. Place
35. −5 27 + 5 12 your final answer in simple radical form.
√ √ Use your calculator to check your result.
36. 3 12 − 2 27 √ √
√ √ 49. (2 + 3)(3 − 3)
37. 4 20 + 4 45 √ √
√ √ 50. (5 + 2)(2 − 2)
38. −2 18 − 5 8 √ √
√ √ 51. (4 + 3 2)(2 − 5 2)
39. 2 45 + 5 20 √ √
√ √ 52. (3 + 5 3)(1 − 2 3)
40. 3 27 − 4 12 √ √
53. (2 + 3 2)(2 − 3 2)
In Exercises 41-48, simplify each of the √ √
given rational expressions. Place your fi- 54. (3 + 2 5)(3 − 2 5)
nal answer in simple radical form. Check √ √ √ √
55. (2 3 + 3 2)(2 3 − 3 2)
your result with your calculator.
√ √ √ √
√ 1 56. (8 2 + 5)(8 2 − 5)
41. 2− √
2 √
57. (2 + 5)2
√ 3 √
42. 3 3− √ 58. (3 − 2)2
3
√ √
√ 2 59. ( 3 − 2 5)2
43. 2 2− √
2 √ √
60. (2 3 + 3 2)2
√ 5
44. 4 5− √
5 In Exercises 61-68, place each of the
given rational expressions in simple rad-
√ 3
45. 5 2+ √ ical form by “rationalizing the denomi-
2 nator.” Check your result with your cal-
√ 2 culator.
46. 6 3+ √
3 1
61. √ √
√ √ 5+ 3
12
47. 8− √ −3 2
2 1
62. √ √
√ √ 2 3− 2
6
48. 27 − √ − 5 3
3 6
63. √ √
2 5− 2
9
64. √ √
3 3− 6

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions 943

√ √
2+ 3 78. Given f (x) = x + 2, evaluate the
65. √
2− 3 expression
√ f (x) − f (3)
3− 5 ,
66. √ x−3
3+ 5
√ √ and then “rationalize the numerator.”
3+ 2
67. √ √ √
3− 2 79. Given f (x) = x, evaluate the ex-
√ √ pression
2 3+ 2
68. √ √ f (x + h) − f (x)
3− 2 ,
h

In Exercises 69-76, use the quadratic and then “rationalize the numerator.”
formula to find the solutions of the given √
equation. Place your solutions in simple 80. Given f (x) = x − 3, evaluate the
radical form and reduce your solutions to expression
lowest terms. f (x + h) − f (x)
,
h
69. 3x2 − 8x = 5
and then “rationalize the numerator.”
70. 5x2 − 2x = 1

71. 5x2 = 2x + 1

72. 3x2 − 2x = 11

73. 7x2 = 6x + 2

74. 11x2 + 6x = 4

75. x2 = 2x + 19

76. 100x2 = 40x − 1

In Exercises 77-80, we will suspend the

usual rule that you should rationalize the
denominator. Instead, just this one time,
rationalize the numerator of the resulting
expression.
√
77. Given f (x) = x, evaluate the ex-
pression
f (x) − f (2)
,
x−2
and then “rationalize the numerator.”

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

9.4 Solutions

1. Regroup using the associateive property and simplify.

√ √ √
2(5 7) = (2 · 5) 7 = 10 7

Check.

3. The commutative and associative properties allow us to reorder and regroup.

√ √ √ √ √ √
− 3(2 5) = 2(− 3 5) = 2(− 15) = −2 15

Check.

5. The commutative and associative properties allow us to reorder and regroup.

√ √ √ √ √
3(5 6) = 5( 3 6) = 5 18

This is not in simple form as it is possible to factor out a perfect square.

√ √ √ √ √
5 18 = 5 9 2 = 5 · 3 2 = 15 2

Check.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

7. The commutative and associative properties allow us to reorder and regroup.

√ √ √ √ √
(2 5)(−3 3) = (2 · −3)( 5 3) = −6 15

Check.

9. The commmutative and associative properties allows us to reorder and regroup.

√ √ √ √ √
(−4 3)(2 6) = (−4 · 2)( 3 6) = −8 18

This answer is not in simple for because we can factor out a perfect square.
√ √ √ √ √
−8 18 = −8 9 2 = −8 · 3 2 = −24 2

Check.

11. Recall that (ab)2 = a2 b2 .

√ √
(2 3)2 = (2)2 ( 3)2 = 4 · 3 = 12

Check.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

13. Recall that (ab)2 = a2 b2 .

√ √
(−5 2)2 = (−5)2 ( 2)2 = 25 · 2 = 50
Check.

15. Recall the distributive property: a(b + c) = ab + ac.

√ √ √
2(3 + 5) = 2(3) + 2( 5) = 6 + 2 5
Check.

17. Recall the distributive property: a(b + c) = ab + ac.

√ √ √
2(−5 + 4 2) = 2(−5) + 2(4 2) = −10 + 8 2
Check.

19. Use the distributive property: a(b + c) = ab + ac.

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
2(2 + 2) = 2(2) + 2( 2) = 2 2 + 4 = 2 2 + 2
Check.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

21. Use the distributive property: a(b + c) = ab + ac

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
2( 10 + 14) = 2( 10) + 2( 14) = 20 + 28

However, this answer is not in simple form because we can factor out perfect squares.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
20 + 28 = 4 5 + 4 7 = 2 5 + 2 7

Check.

√
23. Use the distributive property to factor out 2.
√ √ √ √
−5 2 + 7 2 = (−5 + 7) 2 = 2 2
√ √
In practice, we usually
√ just
√ combine
√ −5 2 + 7 2 much as we do −5x + 7x = 2x and
simply write −5 2 + 7 2 = 2 2.
Check.

√
25. Use the distributive property to factor out 6.
√ √ √ √
2 6 − 8 6 = (2 − 8) 6 = −6 6
√ √
In practice, we√usually
√ just combine
√ 2 6 − 8 6 much as we do 2x − 8x = −6x and
simply write 2 6 − 8 6 = −6 6.
Check.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

27. The commutative and associative properties of addition allows us to reorder and
regroup, then we combine like terms.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
2 3 − 4 2 + 3 3 = (2 3 + 3 3) − 4 2 = 5 3 − 4 2

Check.

29. The commutative and associative properties of addition allow us to reorder and
regroup, then we can add like terms.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
2 3 + 5 2 − 7 3 + 2 2 = (2 3 − 7 3) + (5 2 + 2 2) = −5 3 + 7 2

Check.

31.
√ √ √ √
45 + 20 = 32 · 5 + 22 · 5
√ √
=3 5+2 5
√
= (3 + 2) 5
√
=5 5

Check.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

33.
√ √ √ √
2 18 − 8 = 2 32 · 2 − 22 · 2
√ √
=6 2−2 2
√
= (6 − 2) 2
√
=4 2

Check.

35.
√ √ √ √
− 5 27 + 5 12 = −5 32 · 3 + 5 22 · 3
√ √
= −15 3 + 10 3
√
= (−15 + 10) 3
√
= −5 3

Check.

37.
√ √ √ √
4 20 + 4 45 = 4 22 · 5 + 4 32 · 5
√ √
= 8 5 + 12 5
√
= (8 + 12) 5
√
= 20 5

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

Check.

39.
√ √ √ √
2 45 + 5 20 = 2 32 · 5 + 5 22 · 5
√ √
= 6 5 + 10 5
√
= (6 + 10) 5
√
= 16 5

Check.

41. Place the second term in simple radical form.

√ √ √
√ 1 √ 1 2 √ 2 √ 2
2− √ = 2− √ · √ = 2− √ = 2−
2 2 2 4 2
Write each term over a common denominator of 2.
√ √ √ √ √
√ 2 √ 2 2 2 2 2 2
2− = 2· − = − =
2 2 2 2 2 2
Check.

43. Place the second term in simple radical form.

√ √
√ 2 √ 2 2 √ 2 2
2 2− √ =2 2− √ · √ =2 2− √
2 2 2 4

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

Continuing,
√ √
√ 2 2 √ 2 2 √ √ √
2 2− =2 2− = 2 2 − 2 = 2.
4 2
Check.

45. Place the second term in simple radical form.

√ √ √
√ 3 √ 3 2 √ 3 2 √ 3 2
5 2+ √ =5 2+ √ · √ =5 2+ √ =5 2+
2 2 2 4 2
Write equivalent fractions with a common denominator and add.
√ √ √ √ √
√ 3 2 √ 2 3 2 10 2 3 2 13 2
5 2+ =5 2· + = + =
2 2 2 2 2 2
Check.

47. Place the first and second terms in simple radical form.
√ √
√ 12 √ √ √ 12 2 √ √ 12 2 √
8− √ −3 2= 4 2− √ · √ −3 2=2 2− −3 2
2 2 2 2
Reduce the fractional second term, then combine like terms.
√
√ 12 2 √ √ √ √ √
2 2− − 3 2 = 2 2 − 6 2 − 3 2 = −7 2
2
Check.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

49. Distribute the second factor times each term of the first factor, then apply the
distributive property a second time.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
(2 + 3)(3 − 3) = 2(3 − 3) + 3(3 − 3) = 6 − 2 3 + 3 3 − 9
Simplify and combine like terms.
√ √ √ √ √ √
6−2 3+3 3− 9=6−2 3+3 3−3=3+ 3
Check.

51. Use the distributive property to multiply the second factor times each term of
the first factor, then use the distributive property a second time.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
(4 + 3 2)(2 − 5 2) = 4(2 − 5 2) + 3 2(2 − 5 2) = 8 − 20 2 + 6 2 − 15 4
Simplify, then combine like terms.
√ √ √ √ √ √
8 − 20 2 + 6 2 − 15 4 = 8 − 20 2 + 6 2 − 30 = −22 − 14 2
Check.

53. Here we use the difference of squares pattern: (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 .

√ √ √
(2 + 3 2)(2 − 3 2) = (2)2 − (3 2)2
Recall that (ab)2 = a2 b2 .
√ √
(2)2 − (3 2)2 = 4 − (3)2 ( 2)2 = 4 − 9 · 2 = 4 − 18 = −14
Check.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

55. Here we use the difference of squares pattern: (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 .

√ √ √ √ √ √
(2 3 + 3 2)(2 3 − 3 2) = (2 3)2 − (3 2)2

Recall that (ab)2 = a2 b2 .

√ √ √ √
(2 3)2 − (3 2)2 = (2)2 ( 3)2 − (3)2 ( 2)2 = 4 · 3 − 9 · 2 = 12 − 18 = −6

Check.

57. Here we use the squaring a binomial pattern: (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 .

√ √ √ √ √
(2 + 5)2 = (2)2 + 2(2)( 5) + ( 5)2 = 4 + 4 5 + 5 = 9 + 4 5

Check.

59. Here we use the squaring a binomial pattern: (a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2 . Again,
recall that (ab)2 = a2 b2 .
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
( 3 − 2 5)2 = ( 3)2 − 2( 3)(2 5) + (2 5)2 = ( 3)2 − 2( 3)(2 5) + (2)2 ( 5)2

Continuing.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √
( 3)2 − 2( 3)(2 5) + (2)2 ( 5)2 = 3 − 4 15 + 4 · 5 = 3 − 4 15 + 20 = 23 − 4 15

Check.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

√ √
61. Multiply numerator and denominator by 5− 3. Recall the difference of squares
pattern: (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 .
√ √ √ √
1 1 5− 3 5− 3
√ √ =√ √ ·√ √ = √ √
5+ 3 5+ 3 5− 3 ( 5)2 − ( 3)2
Continuing.
√ √ √ √ √ √
5− 3 5− 3 5− 3
√ √ = =
( 5)2 − ( 3)2 5−3 2

Check.

√ √
63. Multiply numerator and denominator by 2 5 + 2. Recall the difference of
squares pattern: (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 .
√ √ √ √
6 6 2 5+ 2 12 5 + 6 2
√ √ = √ √ · √ √ = √ √
2 5− 2 2 5− 2 2 5+ 2 (2 5)2 − ( 2)2
Continuing.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
12 5 + 6 2 12 5 + 6 2 12 5 + 6 2 12 5 + 6 2
√ √ = = =
(2 5)2 − ( 2)2 4·5−2 20 − 2 18

Reduce. Factor the numerator and denominator and cancel.

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
12 5 + 6 2 6(2 5 + 2) 6(2 5 + 2) 2 5+ 2
= = =
18 6·3 6·3 3
Alternatively, some like to reduce by dividing numerator and denominator by 6.
√ √
√ √ 12 5 6 2 √ √
12 5 + 6 2 − 2 5+ 2
= 6 6 =
18 18 3
6
Check.

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

√
65. Multiply numerator and denominator by 2 + 3.
√ √ √ √
2+ 3 2+ 3 2+ 3 (2 + 3)2
√ = √ · √ = √ √
2− 3 2− 3 2+ 3 (2 − 3)(2 + 3)

Use the squaring a binomial pattern (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 on the numerator and the
difference of squares pattern (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 on the denominator.
√ √ √
(2 + 3)2 (2)2 + 2(2)( 3) + ( 3)2
√ √ = √ (1)
(2 − 3)(2 + 3) (2)2 − ( 3)2
Continuing.
√ √ √
(2)2 + 2(2)( 3) + ( 3)2 4+4 3+3 √
√ = =7+4 3
(2)2 − ( 3)2 4−3
Check.

√ √
67. Multiply numerator and denominator by 3 + 2.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
3+ 2 3+ 2 3+ 2 ( 3 + 2)2
√ √ =√ √ ·√ √ = √ √ √ √
3− 2 3− 2 3+ 2 ( 3 − 2)( 3 + 2)

Use the squaring a binomial pattern (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 on the numerator and the
difference of squares pattern (a + b)(a − b) = a2 − b2 on the denominator.
√ √ √ √ √ √
( 3 + 2)2 ( 3)2 + 2( 3)( 2) + ( 2)2
√ √ √ √ = √ √ (2)
( 3 − 2)( 3 + 2) ( 3)2 − ( 2)2
Continuing.
√ √ √ √ √
( 3)2 + 2( 3)( 2) + ( 2)2 3+2 6+2 √
√ √ = =5+2 6
( 3)2 − ( 2)2 3−2
Check.

69. The equation is nonlinear, so make one side zero.

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

3x2 − 8x − 5 = 0

Compare 3x2 − 8x − 5 = 0 with ax2 + bx + c = 0 and note that a = 3, b = −8, and

c = −5. Write down the quadratic formula and substitute.
√ p √
−b ± b2 − 4ac −(−8) ± (−8)2 − 4(3)(−5) 8 ± 124
x= = =
2a 2(3) 6
Factor a perfect square from the radical in the numerator.
√ √ √
8 ± 4 31 8 ± 2 31
x= =
6 6
Factor the numerator and cancel.
√ √ √ √
8 ± 2 31 2(4 ± 31) 2(4 ± 31) 4 ± 31
x= = = =
6 2·3 2·3 3

71. The equation is nonlinear, so make one side zero.

5x2 − 2x − 1 = 0

Compare 5x2 − 2x − 1 = 0 with ax2 + bx + c = 0 and note that a = 5, b = −2, and

c = −1. Write down the quadratic formula and substitute.
√ p √
−b ± b2 − 4ac −(−2) ± (−2)2 − 4(5)(−1) 2 ± 24
x= = =
2a 2(5) 10
Factor a perfect square from the radical in the numerator.
√ √ √ √
2 ± 24 2± 4 6 2±2 6
x= = =
10 10 10
Factor the numerator and cancel.
√ √ √ √
2±2 6 2(1 ± 6) 2(1 ± 6) 1± 6
x= = = =
10 2·5 2·5 5

73. The equation is nonlinear, so make one side zero.

7x2 − 6x − 2 = 0

Compare 7x2 − 6x − 2 = 0 with ax2 + bx + c = 0 and note that a = 7, b = −6, and

c = −2. Write down the quadratic formula and substitute.
√ p √
−b ± b2 − 4ac −(−6) ± (−6)2 − 4(7)(−2) 6 ± 92
x= = =
2a 2(7) 14
Factor a perfect square from the radical in the numerator.
√ √ √ √
6 ± 92 6 ± 4 23 6 ± 2 23
x= = =
14 14 14

Version: Fall 2007

 Section 9.4 Radical Expressions

Factor the numerator and cancel.

√ √ √ √
6 ± 2 23 2(3 ± 23) 2(3 ± 23) 3 ± 23
x= = = =
14 2·7 2·7 7

75. The equation is nonlinear, so make one side zero.

x2 − 2x − 19 = 0

Compare x2 − 2x − 19 = 0 with ax2 + bx + c = 0 and note that a = 1, b = −2, and

c = −19. Write down the quadratic formula and substitute.
√ p √
−b ± b2 − 4ac −(−2) ± (−2)2 − 4(1)(−19) 2 ± 80
x= = =
2a 2(1) 2
Factor a perfect square from the radical in the numerator.
√ √ √ √
2 ± 80 2 ± 16 5 2±4 5
x= = =
2 2 2
Factor the numerator and cancel.
√ √ √
2±4 5 2(1 ± 2 5) 2(1 ± 2 5) √
x= = = =1±2 5
2 2 2
√
77. If f (x) = x, then
√ √
f (x) − f (2) x− 2
= .
x−2 x−2
√ √
To “rationalize the numerator,” multiply numerator and denominator by x + 2,
then use the difference of squares pattern to simplify.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
x− 2 x− 2 x+ 2 ( x)2 − ( 2)2 x−2
= ·√ √ = √ √ = √ √
x−2 x−2 x+ 2 (x − 2)( x + 2) (x − 2)( x + 2)
Numerator and denominator are factored, so we can cancel,
x−2 x−2 1
√ √ = √ √ =√ √ ,
(x − 2)( x + 2) (x − 2)( x + 2) x+ 2
provided, of course, that x 6= 2.
√
79. If f (x) = x, then
√ √
f (x + h) − f (x) x+h− x
= .
h h
√ √
To “rationalize the numerator,” multiply numerator and denominator by x + h + x,
then use the difference of squares pattern to simplify.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
x+h− x x+h− x x+h+ x ( x + h)2 − ( x)2 x+h−x
= ·√ √ = √ √ = √ √
h h x+h+ x h( x + h + x) h( x + h + x)

Version: Fall 2007

Chapter 9 Radical Functions

Simplify, then cancel.

x+h−x h h 1
√ √ = √ √ = √ √ =√ √
h( x + h + x) h( x + h + x) h( x + h + x) x+h+ x
The result is valid provided h 6= 0.

Version: Fall 2007