44

Mathematics

3
Radicals (Surds)
2.1 INTRODUCTION In the last lesson, you have learnt the laws of exponents for positive integral indices and negative integral indices. You have also learnt the meaning of numbers of the type a . In this lesson we shall study about a special type of numbers a which are irrational numbers. In the last lesson we gave meaning to the number a q as the qth root of a. In this lesson we shall call q a or n x a radical, q or n as index and a or x as the radicand. We shall also name this as surd. We shall also discuss the laws of radicals. We shall find the simplest (lowest) form of a radical. We shall find the rationalising factor of a radical and rationalise the denominator of a radical and also simplify expressions involving radicals. 3.2 OBJECTIVES After studying this lesson, the learner will be able to : identify radicals from a given set of irrational numbers identify index and radicand of a surd state the laws of radicals (surds) express a given surd in the simplest form classify similar and non-similar surds reduce surds of different orders to those of the same order perform the four fundamental operations on surds arrange the given surds in ascending/descending order of magnitude find a rationalising factor of a given surd rationalise the denominator of a given surd simplify expressions involving surds.
1 p q p q

Radicals (Surds)

45

3.3 EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE Four fundamental operations on numbers Prime numbers, order relation in numbers Laws of exponents Meaning of 3.4 SURD You have already studied in lesson 1 that numbers of the type 2 , 3 , 5 , ... are irrational numbers. Now we shall study irrational numbers of a particular type called radicals or surds. Definition. A surd is defined as a positive irrational number of the type n x , where it is not possible to find exactly the nth root of x, where x is a positive rational number. Thus a number
n
p q

a0,

am

and a .

x is a surd if and only if

(a) it is an irrational number (b) it is a root of positive rational number In the surd n x , the symbol is called the radical sign. The index n is called the order of the surd and x the radicand. When the order is not mentioned it is taken as 2. For example, in the 3 5 , order of the surd is 3 and 5 is the radicand. In 7 , the order is 2 and the radicand is 7. Similarly,
6

8,

32 and

50 are all surds, but

8 is not a surd as its value 2 is rational.

Again 2 + 2 , though it is an irrational number, is not a surd because it is the square not of an irrational number. Similarly 5 + 3 , are not surds, as the radicands are not rational numbers. We may repeat, that surd is an irrational number in which the radicand is a positive rational number. Note. If n is a positive integer and a be real number, then if a is irrational, Again if n a is rational, then also n a is not a surd. 3.5 PURE AND MIXED SURDS A surd which has unity as its rational factor, other factor being irrational is called a pure surd. For example
n

a is not a surd.

27 , 5 112 and 3 50 are pure surds. A surd having rational factor other than unity along with irrational factor is called a mixed surd.
4

4 For example 2 3 , 3 3 5 and 4 7 are mixed surds. 5 It may be noted that in the cases of conversion, type of the radicand should be kept unchanged.

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Mathematics

3.6 ORDER OF SURDS In the surd 7 3 2 , 7 is called coefficient of the surd, 3 is order of the surd and 2 is radicand. When there is no coefficient in a surd, it is assumed that coefficient is 1. Example 3.1 : State which of the following are surds and which are not : (a) (c)
4

25 81

(b) (d)
3

50 128

Solution : (b)

25 = 5 which is a rational number. 25 is not a surd.

2 55 = 5 2

50 =

50 is an irrational number
Hence

50 is a surd.

(c)

81 =
4

3 3 3 3 = 3, which is a rational number.

(d)
3

81 is not a surd
3

128 =

4442

= 4 3 2 , which is an irrational number.

3

128 is a surd.

Example 3.2 : Identify index and radicand of each of the following surds : (a) (c)
5 6

17 123

(b) (d)

82
11

517

Solution : (a) Here index is 5 and radicand is 17 (b) Here index is 2 and radicand is 82 (c) Here index is 6 and radicand is 123 (d) Here index is 11 and radicand is 517. Example 3.3 : Identify the pure and mixed surds from the following. (i)

21

(ii)

18

(iii) 3 125

(iv) 2 7 141

(v) 5 5 1125

Solution : Pure surds (i) and (ii); mixed surds (iii), (iv) and (v)

Radicals (Surds)

47

3.7 LAWS OF RADICALS We state here some laws of radicals which are used to simplify surds : (i) (ii)
n

a
n

=a

b = n ab

(iii)

n n

a =n a b b

where a and b are positive rational numbers and n is a positive integer. Example 3.4 : Using laws of radicals, find which of the following are surds and which are not : (a) (c)
3

10 40 2 3 4 10 40 =
= =

(b) (d)

15 4 10 48 27

Solution : (a)

400 20 20

d 20 i

= 20

which is a rational number.

10 40 is not a surd.

(b) 2 15 4 10 =

2 15 4 10 2 2 15 4 4 10 60 160

3 8 which is an irrational number.

= 2 15 4 10 is a surd

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Mathematics

(c)

2 3 4 =

24
=
3

222

= 2, which is a rational number. (d)

3

2 3 4 is not a surd
48 27 = = = 48 27 16 9 4 which is again a rational number 3

48 27 =

48 27 is not a surd.
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 3.1

1. Write the index (order) and the radicand in each of the following : (a)
5

125

(b)

343

(c)

19

2. State which of the following are surds ? (a) (d)

3

49 500
1+ 3

(b) (e)

625 5 45
7 169

(c)

216

(f) 3 2 5 6

(g)

(h)

3. Identify pure and mixed surds, out of the following : (i)

15

(ii) 2 12

(iii) 3 3 7

(iv)

35

3.8 LAWS OF SURDS It has been seen that the surds can be expressed as numbers with fractional exponents. Laws of indices studied in the last lesson are applicable to them also. We recall these laws here. (i)
n

y = n xy

or

x1 n y1 n = xy

b g

1n

Radicals (Surds)

49

(ii)

x =n x y y

or

x1 n = x y y1 n

FI HK

1n

(iii) (iv) (v)

mn

x = mn x = n m x

or or or

dx i dx i
dx i

1n 1m

= x1 mn = x1 m

d i

1n

xm = xm n x p = mn x pn

m 1n

= xm n = xp
m

p 1m

= x pn

mn

= x pn

d i

1 mn

In these results x and y are positive rational numbers and m, n and p are positive integers. Let us illustrate these laws in the following examples : (a)
3

2 3 7 = 2 3 . 7 3 = ( 2 7) 3 = 14 3 = 3 14
17 17

b5g (b) b9g

(c) (d)
5 3

FG 5 IJ H 9K

17

=7

5 9
15

3 =

5 13 3

= 31 3

d i

= 31 15 = 15 3 = 53 3 = 3 5 3

3 43 = 4

d i

15

= 4 3 5 = 4 9 15 = 4 9

d i

1 15

= 15 4 9 = 35 4 33

You must have observed from the above, that order of a surd can be changed by multiplying the index of the surd and index of the radicand by the same positive integer. For example
3

2 =

2 2 = 6 4 and

3 = 8 32 = 8 9 .

3.9 SIMILAR (OR LIKE) SURDS Two surds are similar (or like) if they can be reduced to the same irrational factors, whatever coefficients they may have. For example 2 5 and 7 5 are similar surds. be expressed as 5 3 and 2 3 OR as similar surds. 3.10 SIMPLEST (LOWEST FORM) OF A SURD A surd is said to be in its simplest (lowest) form if it has (a) the smallest possible index of the radical (b) no fraction under the radical sign

75 and

12 can

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Mathematics

(c) no factor of the form an where a is a positive integer is under the radical sign of index n. Thus a pure surd of index n may be reduced to a rational multiple of nth root of a positive integer, no prime factor of which occurs to an exponent as high as n. Such a surd is said to be in lowest term. Thus for example
3

125 = 18 =

125 12 18 12

5 3 12 is the simplest (lowest) form of the given surd. 6

5

Similarly, the simplest form of the surd

3 2 2 is

12 .
3 32 4

Example 3.5 : Express as a pure surd in the simplified form. (a) 2 7 Solution : (a) (b)
2 7 = 34 5 =
4

(b) 3 4 5
2 2 7 = 4 7 = 28

(c)

34 .

5 = 4 34 5

= = (c)
3 32 = 4

4 4

81 5 405
3 FH 4 IK
2

32

9 32 = 18 16

Example 3.6 : Express as a mixed surd in the simplest form : (a)

128

(b)

567

(c)

320

(d)

250

Solution : (a)

128 =
=

64 2
8 8 2 = 82 2

=8 2 (b)
4

567 =

81 7 = 4 34 7

= 34 7

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51

(c)

320 =

64 5 = 6 2 6 5

= 265 (d)
3

250 =
=

3
3

125 2
53 2

= 53 2 (e)
3

27 = 25

27 5 3 3 = 5 25 5 5
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 3.2

1. State which of the following are pairs of similar surds : (a) (c)
2, 8 75 , 48

(b) 5 3 , 3 18 (d)
20 , 125

2. Express as a pure surd : (a) 7 3 (b) 33 2 (c) 5 5 (d)

5 12 2

3. Express as a mixed surd in the simplest form : (a)

50

(b)

81

(c)

128

(d)

270

(e)

512

3.11 ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF SURDS We have studied addition and subtraction of rational numbers. Now we shall perform these operations on surds. We can add and subtract similar surds in the same way as we added and subtracted like terms of an algebraic expression. For example, 5 3 + 7 3 = 5 + 7

b g

3 = 12 3 and 8 5 3 5 = 8 3 5 = 5 5

b g

Thus for adding or subtracting the surds we change them to similar surds before performing addition and subtraction. For example

50 + 72
=

55 2 + 6 6 2

= 5 2 + 6 2 = 5+ 6 2 = 11 2

b g

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Mathematics

And

48 + 3 162
=
3

2 2 2 6 + 3 3 3 3 6

= 2 3 6 +33 6 = 2+3 = 53 6 Similarly, =

b g

98 18 7 7 2 3 3 2

= 7 2 3 2 = 73 2 = 4 2 Example 3.7 : Simplify each of the following : (a) 4 3 + 6 27 (b) 45 6 3 216 Solution : (a) 4 3 + 6 27 = 4 3 + 6 3 3 3 = 4 3 +63 3 = 4 3 + 18 3 = 4 + 18 = 22 3 (b) 45 6 3 216 = 45 6 3 6 6 6 = 45 6 3 6 6 = 45 6 18 6 = 45 18 6 = 27 6 Example 3.8 : Simplify : 2 3 250 + 8 3 16 3 3 54 + 4 32 Solution : 2 3 250 + 8 3 16 3 3 54 + 4 32

b g

Radicals (Surds)

53

= 2 3 5 5 5 2 + 8 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 + 4 2 2 2 2 2 = 2 5 3 2 + 8 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 + 2 4 2 = 10 3 2 + 16 3 2 9 3 2 + 2 4 2 = 10 + 16 9

2 + 24 2 = 17 3 2 + 2 4 2

Example 3.9 : Show that 8 45 8 20 + 245 3 125 = 0 Solution : 8 45 8 20 + 245 3 125 = 8 3 3 5 8 2 2 5 + 5 7 7 3 5 5 5 = 8 3 5 8 2 5 + 7 5 3 5 5 = 24 5 16 5 + 7 5 15 5 = 24 + 7 5 16 + 15 5 = 31 5 31 5 = 0 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 3.3 Simplify each of the following : 1. 2.

175 + 28
32 + 50 + 128

3. 3 50 + 4 18 4. 5. 6.
3

108 75

500 80
24 + 3 81 2 3 3

7. 3 50 4 8 + 7 18 8. 6 3 54 2 3 16 + 3 128 9. 2 3 40 + 3 3 625 4 3 320 10. 12 18 + 6 20 6 147 + 3 50 + 8 45

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Mathematics

3.12 MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION IN SURDS In the last section, you have seen that operation of addition and subtraction can be performed when the surds are similar surds. Similarly two surds can be multiplied or divided if they are of the same order. You have also studied that order of a surd can be changed by multiplying or dividing the index of the surd and index of the radicand by the same positive number. Thus, before multiplying or dividing, we change them to the surds of the same order. However if the given surds are of the same order, we can perform the operation directly. For example

3 2 = 3 2 = 6 12 = 6 2

Q 3 and 2 both are surds of order 2

and

12 2 =

Q 12 and 2 are surds of order 2

But if we have to multiply

3 by

2 , we proceed as follows :

The order of the surds are 2 and 3. LCM of 2 and 3 is 6 We shall change both the surds to surds of order 6. and
3

3 =

6 6

33 = 6 27 22 = 6 4

2 =

33 2 =
=

6 6
6

27 6 4 27 4 =
27 = 6 27 4 4
6

108

and

3 = 2

Example 3.10 : (a) Multiply 5 3 16 and 11 3 40 (b) Multiply 5 3 16 and 5 4 3 Solution : (a) 5 3 16 11 3 40 = 5 11 2 3 2 2 3 5 = 55 2 2 3 2 3 5 = 220 3 2 5 = 220 3 10

Radicals (Surds)

55

(b) 17 3 5 5 4 3 The surds 17 3 5 and 5 4 3 are surds of order 3 and 4 respectively. LCM of 3 and 4 = 12 We change both the surds to the surds of order 12 Now and
17 3 5 = 17 12 54 = 17 12 625
12 12 5 4 3 = 5 33 = 5 27

17 3 5 5 4 3 = 17 12 625 5 12 27

= 85 12 625 27 = 85 12 16875 Example 3.11 : Divide 15 3 13 by 6 6 5

15 3 13 5 6 132 = . 6 66 5 2 5

Solution :

5 6 169 5 = 2 65 2

169 5

Example 3.12 : Simplify and express in the simplest form 2 50 3 32 4 18 Solution : 2 50 3 32 4 18 = 2 5 5 2 3 4 4 2 4 3 3 2 = 2 5 2 3 4 2 4 3 2 = 10 2 12 2 12 2 = 1440 2 2 2 = 2880 2 3.13 COMPARISON OF SURDS It is difficult to calculate actual value of surds. That is why we cannot tell which of the two surds is greater in value. To know this we change both the surds to surds of same order. Then we can compare them by the value of the radicands alongwith their coefficients.

56

Mathematics

Example 3.13 : Which is greater

1 or 2

1 ? 3

Solution : The two surds are of orders 2 and 3. LCM of 2 and 3 is 6 and
Q

FG 1 IJ H 2K FG 1IJ H 3K
6

12

=
13

FG 1IJ H 2K FG 1IJ H 3K
1 9
1 3

=6
2

1 8 1 9

=6

1 1 > 8 9

i.e.

1 > 8
1 > 2

Example 3.14 : Arrange in ascending order : Solution : The surd

3

2,

3 and

2,

3 and

5 are of orders 3, 2 and 6 respectively.

6 6

LCM of 3, 2 and 6 is 6.
3

2 = 3 = 5 = 4 < 2 <

6 6

22 = 33 =

4 27

and Now

6 6 3

6
6 6

5
5<
6

27

5< 3
3

Ascending order of given surds is

2 , 6 5, 3

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 3.4 1. Multiply 2. Multiply 3. Divide 4. Divide

3 3

32 and 5 3 4 3 and
3 3 3

5 5

135 by 24 by

320 5 or
3

5. Which is greater

4 ?

Radicals (Surds)

57

6. Which is smaller :

10 or

9 ?

7. Arrange in ascending order

3

2,

3,

8. Arrange in descending order

3

2,

3,

3.14 RATIONALISATION OF SURDS Consider the following products (a) 31 2 . 31 2 = 3 (b) 32 3 . 31 3 = 3 (c) 57 11 . 54 11 = 5 (d) 7 3 4 . 71 4 = 7 We observe that on multiplying the two surds we get the result as a rational number. In such cases each surd is called a rationalising factor the other. Thus (i) (ii) (iii) and (iv)
3

3 is a rationalising factor of 3 is a rationalising factor of

3

3 9 and vice versa

11 7 5

11 4 5

is a rationalising factor of
4

and vice versa

7 is a rationalising factor of

7 3 and vice versa.

Thus we see here, how to multiply a surd by another surd in such a way that the product is a rational number. The process of converting the surds to rational numbers is called rationalisation. Thus to rationalise, we search a factor which when multiplied by the given surd gives us a rational number. For example, the rationalising factor of

x is

x and rationalising factor of

3 + 2 is

3 2
Note : 1. The quantities x y and x + y are called conjugate surds. Their sum and product are always rational 2. Rationalisation is usually used to rationalise the denominator of a rational expression involving irrational surds.

58

Mathematics

Example 3.15 : Find the rationalising factor of Solution :

27

27 =

3 3 3

= 3 3 Rationalising factor =

3
5

Example 3.16 : Find the rationalising factor of Solution :

5

800

800 =
=

5
5

2 2 2 2 2 5 5
25 52

= 2 5 52 Rationalising factor is
5

53 or

125

Example 3.17 : Rationalise the denominator of 3+ 5 = 3 5 3+ 5 3+ 5 3 5 3+ 5

3+ 5 3 5

Solution :

[Multiplying and dividing by

3 + 5 i.e.

by rationalising factor of 3 5 ]

3+ 5
2

2 2

d 3i d 5i

= 3+5+ 2 3 5 35

= 8 + 2 15 = 4 15 2 Example 3.18 : Rationalise 4+3 5 43 5 4+3 5 43 5 = 4+3 5 4+3 5 43 5 43 5

Solution :

Radicals (Surds)

59

d4 + 3 5 i = b4 g d 3 5 i
2 2

16 + 45 + 24 5 16 45

= 61 + 24 5 29 61 24 5 = 29 29 Example 3.19 : If a = 3 2 and b = 3+ 2 a= = 3 2 3+ 2 3 2 3 2 3+ 2 3 2 3+ 2 , show that a + b = 10 3 2

Solution :

= 3+ 2 2 6 3 2 = 5 2 6 and b= = = 3+ 2 3 2 3+ 2 3+ 2 3 2 3+ 2
3+ 2 + 2 6 3 2

...(i)

= 5+ 2 6 Adding (i) and (ii), we get a + b = 10 Example 3.20 : Rationalise

...(ii)

1 3 2 +1
1

Solution :

1 3 2 +1

3 2 +1

d d

3 2 1 3

i 2i 1

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Mathematics

3 2 1 3 2
2

i b1g

3 2 1 3+ 2 2 6 1 3 2 1 42 6 3 2 1 4 + 2 6 42 6 4+2 6
4 3 4 2 4 + 2 18 2 12 2 6

b 4g d 2 6 i
2

4 34 2 4+6 2 4 32 6 16 24 2 2 42 6 8

2 2 6 4
2+ 6 2 4

Example 3.21 : If numbers. Solution :

3+ 2 2 = a + b 2 , find the values of a and b given, a and b are rational 3 2

3+ 2 2 3+ 2 2 3+ 2 = 3 2 3 2 3+ 2
= 9+6 2 +3 2 +4

b3g d 2 i
2

13 + 9 2 7

Radicals (Surds)

61

= a=

13 9 + 2 = a+b 2 7 7 13 9 and b = 7 7

...(Given)

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 3.5 1. Find the rationalising factor of each of the following : (a) (c)
3
7

49
54

(b) (d)
3

2 +1
x 2 + 3 y 2 + 3 xy

2. Simplify by rationalising the denominator in each of the following : (a)

2 5 11 5 11 + 5

(b)

3 17 3 +1 3 1

(c)

235 3 7

(d)

(e)

3. Simplify :

2+ 3 2 3 + 2 3 2+ 3
4. Rationalise the denominator of

1 3 2 1
1 5. If a = 3 + 2 2 , find the value of a + a

6. If

2 + 5 7 = x + 7y , find rational number x and y. 25 7

LET US SUM UP An irrational number In

n n

x is called a surd if x is a rational number.

x , n is called index and x is called radicand

A surd having unity as its rational factor, other factor being irrational is called a pure surd

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Mathematics

A surd having factor other than unity along with irrational factor is called a mixed surd The order of the surd is the number that indicates the root. The order of
n

x is n

Laws of radicals (a > 0, b > 0)

n

a
n

=a

b = n ab

a na = n b b
Operations on surds
x1 n y1 n = xy x1 n x = 1n y y

b g

1n

FG IJ HK

1n

dx i
dx i
m

1n 1m

= x1 mn = x1 m

d i

1n

m 1n

= xm n

x a = mn x an or x a

d i

1m

= xa

= x an mn = x an

d i

1 mn

Surds are similar if they have the same irrational factor. In the simplest form of a surd, the radical has the smallest possible index with no fraction under the radical sign and no factors of the form an under the radical sign Similar surds can be added and subtracted Orders of surds can be changed by multiplying index of the surd and index of the radicand but the same number Surds of the same order are multiplied and divided. To compare surds, we change the surds to surds of the same order. Then they can be compared by their radicands

x + y is called rationalising factor of x y and vice versa.

If the product of two surds is rational, then each is called rationalising factor of the other.

Radicals (Surds)

63

TERMINAL EXERCISE 1. State which of the following are surds : (a)

25 289

(b)

12

729

(c)

5 +1

(d)

625

2. Express as a pure surd : (a) 2 3 5 (b) 3 4 4 (c) 5 5 2 (d) 7 3 7

3. Express as a mixed surd in the simplest form (a)

4

405

(b)

320

(c)

128

(d)

686

4. Which of the following are pairs of similar surds : (a) (c)

6

112 , 216 ,

343 250

(b) (d)
3

125 , 135 ,
3

500 625

5. Simplify each of the following : 5 1 +4 3 (a) 3 48 2 3 (c) (b)

63 + 28 175

8 + 32 50 6. Which is greater ?
2 or
3

(d) 4 3 81 + 5 3 375 3 3 192 (b)

3

(a)

6 or

7. Arrange in the descending order (a)

3,
3

4,

(b)

2,

3,

8 Arrange in the ascending order :

3

16 ,

12 ,

320

9. Simplify by rationalising the denominator : (a) 5 6 5 (b) 12 7+ 3 (c) 3 1 3 +1 (d) 3 2 2 3+ 2 2

10. Simplify each of the following by rationalising the denominator : (a) 11. If 1 1+ 2 3 (b) 1 7 + 6 13

5+ 2 3 = a + b 3 , find the values of a and b where a, b are rational numbers. 7+4 3

1 12. If x = 7 + 4 3 , find the value of x + x

64

Mathematics

ANSWERS Check Your Progress 3.1 1. (a) Index 5, radicand 125 (b) Index 6, radicand 343 (c) Index 2, radicand 19 2. a, c, d, f and h 3. (i), (iv) are pure surds and (ii), (iii) are mixed surds. Check Your Progress 3.2 1. a, c, d 2. (a) 3. (a) (e)

147
5 2 44 2

(b)

54

(c)

125

(d)

75

(b) 3 3 3

(c) 2 5 4

(d) 3 3 10

Check Your Progress 3.3 1. 7 7 4. 2. 17 2 5. 6 5 8. 18 3 2 3. 27 2 6. 3 3 3 9. 3 3 5

7 28 2 10. 36 5 42 3 + 51 2 Check Your Progress 3.4 1. 10 3 4 4. 7.

6

2. 5. 8.

675

3. 3 6.
5

27 200
3, 3 2 , 3 4

4
4,
4

10

3,

Check Your Progress 3.5 1. (a)

3

(b)

2 1

(c) 53 7

(d)

x 3 y

Radicals (Surds)

65

2. (a) (e) 3. 14 6. x =

2 5 5

(b)

51 17

(c)

2 3 245 7

(d) 8 55 3

2+ 3
4. 2 + 2 + 6 4 179 20 ,y= 171 171 5. 6

Terminal Exercise 1. (b), (d) 2. (a) 3. (a)

3

40

(b)

324
5

(c)

6250
3

(d)

2401
3

3. 4 5

(b) 2

10

(c) 4

(d) 7

4. a, b, d 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (a) (b) 8.

3

91 3 6
3

(b) 0 (b)
3 3 3

(c)

(d) 25 3 3

3 3, 3,
6

4, 4,

5 2

16 ,

320 ,

12

9. (a) 10. (a) (b)

5 6+ 5

(b) 3 7 3

(c) 2 3

(d) 17 12 2

2+ 2 + 6 4 7 6 + 6 7 + 546 84 12. 14

11. a = 11, b = 6