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How to Multiply & Divide Radicals With Variables

If you take a high school or college Algebra I or Algebra II course, you most certainly will find yourself facing the task of multiplying and dividing radicals. Often these radicals will contain one or more variables. A radical is a symbol that looks like a check mark and indicates that a certain root of a value must be taken. A variable is a letter that stands for one or more numerical values. You can multiply and divide radicals with variables by following a few simple mathematical rules.

Instructions

    • 1

      Multiply the values under each radical sign. For instance, √x * √y = √xy

    • 2

      Add any exponents if you are multiplying bases that are alike. For example, if you have √x^3 * √x^7, you would add the 3 and the 7 to get √x^10. You could also state this answer as (x^1/2)^10, which reduces to x^5 (since a square root is equal to that value to the 1/2 power). If you multiply bases that are not alike, you cannot add the exponents. For example, √x^3 * √y^7 simply equals √x^3*y^7 (with the radical sign extending over the entire phrase).

    • 3

      Multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the denominator when you are dividing by a variable under a radical sign. For example, if you have √a /√b, multiply the top and bottom of the fraction by √b. This gives you √ab/b (since √b times √b equals b).

    • 4

      Divide like bases with exponents by subtracting the denominator's exponent from the numerator's exponent. For example, if you have √x^6 / √x^3, you can simplify this to √x^(6-3), which equals √x^3.

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