Copyright

Algebra I Assignment - Simplifying & Solving Square Roots & Radical Expressions

Instructor: John Hamilton

John has tutored algebra and SAT Prep and has a B.A. degree with a major in psychology and a minor in mathematics from Christopher Newport University.

The following homeschool Algebra I assignment goes into detail about square roots as well as radical expressions, including the use of the distributive property and the FOIL method. The math assignment is designed for the freshman in high school. Updated: 02/25/2021

Square Roots and Radical Expressions Assignment Explanation and Topic Overview

While this topic can seem as confusing to your students as the inexplicable movie Star Trek Into Darkness, by breaking each explanation into simple, logical steps, we can convey the methodologies.

The lesson will include the four basic math operations as they relate to equations, and how to rationalize a denominator too.

By the end of this assignment, your students will have completed three steps, solved nine problems, and delivered a suitable presentation.

Note: Detailed answers are located at the bottom of the page.

For further information, visit our helpful High School Algebra I: Homeschool Curriculum.

Key Terms

  • Radical: a math expression which utilizes a root
  • Radicand: the number inside the radical symbol, of which you are trying to take the square root
  • Square root: the opposite of squaring a number

Materials

  • Internet access
  • Paper
  • Pencil

Time/Length

  • One day to complete this Algebra I assignment
  • One week to create your relevant square roots and radical expressions deliverable

Assignment Instructions for Students

Step One

Part I

First of all, how do you calculate the square root of a number? That's easy! I just push this cool-looking little calculator button. While that indeed may be true, let's learn to solve square roots just like the ancient civilizations.

By the way, square roots of perfect squares are easy to find. The square root of 1 is 1, the square root of 4 is 2, and the square root of 9 is 3. See what higher numbers you can calculate.

Problem #1:

Find the square root of 19.

Part II

Next, let's simplify square roots of numbers and expressions containing square roots.

Here's your handy formula:

  • (xy)1/2 = x1/2 * y1/2

Now read this sentence out loud. ''The square root of quantity x times y is equal to the square root of x times the square root of y.''

Problem #2:

Reduce the following square root, which features 18 as your radicand, to its simplest form:

  • 181/2

Part III

How do we determine the square root of quotients though?

This time our handy formula is:

  • (x / y)1/2 = x1/2 / y1/2

Problem #3:

  • (4/9)1/2 = ?

Part IV

What if your square root has a variable with an exponent?

Problem #4:

Simplify:

  • ((63x2))1/2 = ?

Step Two

Part A

By the way, how do we find the reciprocal of a given radical expression? We simply flip our numerator and our denominator:

Problem #5:

See if you can find the reciprocal of:

  • x / (x + 3)

Part B

Next on our list, let's rationalize a denominator which contains a radical expression.

Problem #6:

Suppose you are given a radical expression like:

  • 1/(31/2), which reads ''one divided by the square root of three''

However, you don't want that radical to appear in your denominator. Our solution is easy and oh so clever, if I do say so myself.

Step Three

Part 1

You may recall that to add and subtract using radical notation, it is important we combine like terms whenever possible.

  • 5 * 71/2 + 9 * 71/2 = 14 * 71/2

That reads as ''5 times the square root of 7 plus 9 times the square root of seven equals 14 times the square root of 7.''

  • 8 * 21/2 - 5 * 21/2 = 3 * 21/2

That reads as 8 times the square root of 2 minus 5 times the square root of 2 equals 3 times the square root of 2.

Next, we multiply radical expressions with two or more terms:

Problem #7:

Rewrite:

  • (3a)1/2 (21/2 + c) = ?

Part 2

Let's try a more complex expression though:

Problem #8:

Rewrite:

  • (3 + a1/2) (4 + 21/2) = ?

Part 3

Next, let's actually solve a radical equation with a radical term.

Problem #9:

  • (a - 5 )1/2 = 7

Deliverable

Now it's time to choose one of these three presentations to show you grasp this new algebra material:

  • Write practice questions for other students to be answered on paper.
  • Create your own quiz show questions, based on one of your favorite game shows, to test fellow student contestants on these concepts.
  • Take charge and ''be the teacher'', as you make a podcast or video to explain how to answer these questions or explain these processes.

Answers

Solution #1:

Find the square root of 19.

Ask yourself between which two perfect squares 19 is located:

  • 12 = 1
  • 22 = 4
  • 32 = 9
  • 42 = 16
  • 52 = 25

Aha! We see 19 is located between 16 and 25, which are the squares of 4 and 5, respectively, so next we divide 19 by the 4 we chose to get:

  • 4.75

However, 4.75 * 4.75 = 22.56, which isn't exactly really close to 19. Let's repeat the process. First, add 4 (our original divisor) + 4.75 (our result from dividing) and then divide your sum by 2 to get:

  • 4.375

Now divide 19 by this 4.375 to get:

  • 4.3429

Hey, 4.3429 * 4.3429 = 18.8608, which is pretty close to 19. We're done. Let's go watch that cool new Netflix show about the zombies. Hang on there. Let's repeat the process again.

  • 19 divided by 4.3429 = 4.3750

Add 4.3750 (our newest result) + 4.3429 (our previous result) and divide the sum by 2 to get:

  • 4.3590

Hey, 4.3590 * 4.3590 = 19.0009. That's pretty close to 19. You can go watch those zombies now.

Check your answer with those calculator buttons:

  • Square root of 19 = 4.3589, which is pretty close to the 4.3590 you just calculated. In fact, they are only .0001 (one-ten-thousandth) apart from each other.

Solution #2:

  • 181/2

Find the factors of 18:

  • 18 * 1
  • 9 * 2
  • 6 * 3

That's all I can find. If you can find another one let me know. You'll be famous and appear on Kelly Clarkson's talk show.

Now, of the above factors, we see that only 1 and 9 are perfect squares. We choose 9, and apply our formula:

  • (xy)1/2 = x1/2 * y1/2
  • (9 * 2)1/2 = 91/2 * 21/2

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register to view this lesson

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a Member  Back
What teachers are saying about Study.com
Try it now
Create an account to start this course today
Used by over 30 million students worldwide
Create an account

Explore our library of over 84,000 lessons

Browse by subject