Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011
PA
Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011 View details
1. Simplifying Rational Expressions
Continue to next subchapter

Exercise 62 Page 669

The Multiplication Property of Square Roots tells us that sqrt(ab)=sqrt(a) * sqrt(b), for a≥ 0 and b≥ 0.

a^2b^3c^4sqrt(b)

Practice makes perfect

We want to simplify a radical expression. To do so we will assume that b≥0 otherwise the given expression would not be defined. sqrt(a^4 b^7 c^8) Let's recall the Multiplication Property of Square Roots. sqrt(ab)=sqrt(a) * sqrt(b), for a≥ 0,b≥ 0 Let's use this property for our expression.

sqrt(a^4 b^7 c^8)
sqrt(a^4 * b^7 * c^8)
sqrt(a^4) * sqrt(b^7) * sqrt(c^8)
sqrt(a^4) * sqrt(b^(1+6)) * sqrt(c^8)
sqrt(a^4) * sqrt(b * b^6) * sqrt(c^8)
sqrt(a^4) * sqrt(b) * sqrt(b^6) * sqrt(c^8)
â–¼
Simplify Factors
sqrt(a^(2 * 2)) * sqrt(b) * sqrt(b^(3 * 2)) * sqrt(c^(4 * 2))
sqrt((a^2)^2) * sqrt(b) * sqrt((b^3)^2) * sqrt((c^4)^2)
a^2 * sqrt(b) * b^3 * c^4

Now that we have simplified the factors as much as possible, we can use the Commutative Property of Multiplication to simplify even further. a^2 * sqrt(b) * b^3 * c^4 ⇔ a^2b^3c^4sqrt(b)