Simplifying Radical Expressions IV

 

A radical expression is not in simplest form if index can be reduced. If index of radical is not a prime number it may be possible to reduce the index.

To simplify the radical:

1. Factor the radicand as a product of prime factors.

2. Check to see if index and every exponent in radical are divisible by the same number m. If so radical can be simplified.

3. Write index as the product of two positive integers n and m and use properties IV and I to simplify radical

Property I.

If n is even

if n is odd

Property IV.

Examples: