Factoring the Number Inside the Radical

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 144 views

Introduction

Radicals are an essential part of mathematics, and expressing them in simplest form is a crucial skill for students and professionals alike. In this article, we will explore the process of expressing radicals in simplest form, with a focus on the given expression: $3 \sqrt{147} + 2 \sqrt{3}$ . We will break down the steps involved in simplifying radicals and provide examples to illustrate the concepts.

Understanding Radicals

A radical is a mathematical expression that represents the square root of a number. It is denoted by the symbol $\sqrt{}$ . For example, $\sqrt{16}$ represents the square root of 16, which is equal to 4.

Simplifying Radicals

To simplify a radical, we need to find the largest perfect square that divides the number inside the radical. We can do this by factoring the number into its prime factors.

Factoring the Number Inside the Radical

Let's start by factoring the number 147 into its prime factors.

import math
def prime_factors(n):
factors = []
for i in range(2, int(math.sqrt(n)) + 1):
while n % i == 0:
factors.append(i)
n = n // i
if n > 1:
factors.append(n)
return factors
print(prime_factors(147))

The prime factors of 147 are: 3, 7, 7

Simplifying the Radical

Now that we have the prime factors of 147, we can simplify the radical.

$\sqrt{147} = \sqrt{3 \cdot 7 \cdot 7} = \sqrt{3 \cdot 7^2} = 7\sqrt{3}$

Simplifying the Second Radical

The second radical is $\sqrt{3}$ . This is already in its simplest form, so we don't need to simplify it further.

Combining the Simplified Radicals

Now that we have simplified both radicals, we can combine them.

$3 \sqrt{147} + 2 \sqrt{3} = 3(7\sqrt{3}) + 2\sqrt{3} = 21\sqrt{3} + 2\sqrt{3} = 23\sqrt{3}$

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the process of expressing radicals in simplest form. We have broken down the steps involved in simplifying radicals and provided examples to illustrate the concepts. By following these steps, you can simplify radicals and express them in their simplest form.

Additional Examples

Here are a few more examples of simplifying radicals:

Example 1

$\sqrt{200} = \sqrt{2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 5 \cdot 5} = \sqrt{2^2 \cdot 5^2} = 2 \cdot 5 = 10$

Example 2

$\sqrt{72} = \sqrt{2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 3} = \sqrt{2^2 \cdot 3^2} = 2 \cdot 3 = 6$

Example 3

$\sqrt{48} = \sqrt{2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3} = \sqrt{2^2 \cdot 2 \cdot 3} = 2 \sqrt{2 \cdot 3} = 2 \sqrt{6}$

Final Answer

Q: What is the simplest form of a radical?

A: The simplest form of a radical is a radical that cannot be simplified further. It is a radical that has been factored into its prime factors and has no perfect squares that can be taken out of the radical.

Q: How do I simplify a radical?

A: To simplify a radical, you need to find the largest perfect square that divides the number inside the radical. You can do this by factoring the number into its prime factors.

Q: What is the difference between a perfect square and a perfect cube?

A: A perfect square is a number that can be expressed as the square of an integer, such as 4 (2^2) or 9 (3^2). A perfect cube is a number that can be expressed as the cube of an integer, such as 8 (2^3) or 27 (3^3).

Q: Can I simplify a radical that has a perfect cube inside it?

A: Yes, you can simplify a radical that has a perfect cube inside it. To do this, you need to take the cube root of the perfect cube and multiply it by the remaining factors inside the radical.

Q: How do I simplify a radical with a variable inside it?

A: To simplify a radical with a variable inside it, you need to find the largest perfect square that divides the variable. You can do this by factoring the variable into its prime factors.

Q: Can I simplify a radical that has a negative number inside it?

A: Yes, you can simplify a radical that has a negative number inside it. To do this, you need to take the absolute value of the negative number and simplify the radical as usual.

Q: What is the difference between a rational and an irrational number?

A: A rational number is a number that can be expressed as the ratio of two integers, such as 3/4 or 22/7. An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers, such as the square root of 2 or the square root of 3.

Q: Can I simplify a radical that has a rational number inside it?

A: Yes, you can simplify a radical that has a rational number inside it. To do this, you need to simplify the rational number and then simplify the radical as usual.

Q: How do I know if a radical is in its simplest form?

A: To determine if a radical is in its simplest form, you need to check if it has any perfect squares that can be taken out of the radical. If it does, then it is not in its simplest form.

Q: Can I simplify a radical that has a complex number inside it?

A: Yes, you can simplify a radical that has a complex number inside it. To do this, you need to use the properties of complex numbers and simplify the radical as usual.

Q: What is the final answer to the expression $3 \sqrt{147} + 2 \sqrt{3}$ ?

A: The final answer to the expression $3 \sqrt{147} + 2 \sqrt{3}$ is $23\sqrt{3}$ .

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about expressing radicals in simplest form. We have covered topics such as simplifying radicals, perfect squares, perfect cubes, and rational and irrational numbers. By following these tips and examples, you can simplify radicals and express them in their simplest form.