Year 9 Interactive Maths - Second Edition

Operations with Surds

In the following sections we will consider like and unlike surds, addition and subtraction of surds, multiplication of surds and the application of the Distributive Law to surds.

Radicand

The number under the root sign is called the radicand.

Like and Unlike Surds

Like surds have the same radicand, whereas unlike surds have different radicands.

Addition and Subtraction of Surds

Only like surds can be added or subtracted.

Example 8

Solution:

Note:

Always simplify surds before adding or subtracting them.

Example 9

Solution:

Key Terms

radicand, like surds, unlike surds