Simplifying Surds

What is a surd?

• A number that can NOT be written a fraction– Can be written as a non-terminating decimal

• Otherwise known as an irrational number

• Examples– π– √3– 2 + √5

Simplifying?

√36 = 6 = 2 x 3 = √4 x √9

√36 = √4 x √9

baba

Simplify √50

50 225

225 25

Simplify √72

72 89

243 83

223 26

Simplify √12 x √27

12 34

3332

32

3332 18

27 39 33

√12 x √27

332

Or √12 x √27 =

√(12 x 27) = √324 = 18

Simplify 3

1030

1030 300

1003 310

3

310

3

1030

So 10

In algebra

182 x

18x 29

Solve the equation

Give answer as surd in simplest terms

23