Surds

Surds

1. √ab=√a X √b

   • This means when one is a square number we can get rid of it. For example. √8=√4 X √2.
     • √4=2
       • Therefore simplified we can make it equal to 2√2

2. Rationalise the denominator

   • When a surd is on the bottom we rationalise it to get it on the top.
     • We do this by multiplying the bottom and top by the surd that is on the bottom.

3. What is a Surd?

   • A number that cannot be shown as a decimal has it has a never ending never repeating set of decimals like pie does.

4. Notice that rounding Equation: √2 to 3 decimal places is 1.414. 1.4142 does not quite equal 2 - there is a rounding error. 1.414 is an approximation whereas Equation: √2 is exact.

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