Teach A Level Maths

Vol. 1: AS Core Modules

23: Harder Surds

Christine Crisp
 Harder Surds

Module C1

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 Harder Surds

We met surds when solving quadratic equations.

e.g. Find the roots of the equation x 2 x 1 0
2

Solution: Using the formula for ax 2 bx c 0 :

b b 2 4ac 2 ( 2) 2 4(1)(1)
x x
2a 2(1)
2 8
x
2
Simplifying the surd:
8 4 2 2 2
22 2
x x 1 2
2
 Harder Surds

We can also simplify surds which are in the

denominators of fractions.
p
e.g.1 Write the expression 1
in the form
2 p
Solution: Multiply the numerator and the
denominator by 2 :
1 1 2

2 2 2
2

2 2
2

2
A fraction is simplified if there are no surds in the
denominator.
 Harder Surds

e.g.2 Simplify the expression 2

3 20

Solution: We first simplify the surd.

2 2

3 20 3 4 5
2 1

3 2 5
1
Multiply the numerator and the denominator by 5
1 5

3 5 5
5

15
 Harder Surds

e.g.3 Write the expression 1 in the form p q

2 3
Method: We know that
(a b)(a b) a 2 b 2
So,
(2 3 )( 2 3 ) 2 2 ( 3 ) 2
43
1
By multiplying the expression ( 2 3 ) by ( 2 3 )
the surd has disappeared.
However, if we multiply the denominator by ( 2 3 )
we must multiply the numerator by the same amount.
 Harder Surds

Solution:
2 3
1 1

2 3 2 3 2 3
2 3

43
2 3
The process of removing surds from the
denominator is called rationalising.
 Harder Surds

SUMMARY

To rationalise the denominator of a fraction of

the form
a b
p q
. . . multiply the numerator and denominator by
p q
 Harder Surds

Exercises: Simplify the following by rationalising

the denominators:
1. 1
1

3

3
3 3 3 3

2. 2

2

2

2

2 2 21
2

18 9 2 3 2 3 2 2 63 3

3. 2 2 3 2 2( 3 2 )

3 2 3 2 3 2 92
2( 3 2 )

7
Harder Surds
 Harder Surds

The following slides contain repeats of

information on earlier slides, shown without
colour, so that they can be printed and
photocopied.
For most purposes the slides can be printed
as Handouts with up to 6 slides per sheet.
 Harder Surds

We can also surds which are in the denominators of

fractions.
1 p
e.g.1 Write the expression in the form
2 p
Solution: Multiply the numerator and the
denominator by 2 :
1 1 2

2 2 2
2

2 2
2

2
A fraction is simplified if there are no surds in the
denominator.
 Harder Surds

e.g.2 Simplify the expression 2

3 20

Solution: We first simplify the surd.

2 2

3 20 3 4 5
2 1

3 2 5
1
Multiply the numerator and the denominator by 5
1 5

3 5 5
5

15
 Harder Surds

e.g.3 Write the expression 1 in the form p q

2 3
Method: We know that
(a b)(a b) a 2 b 2
So,
(2 3 )( 2 3 ) 2 2 ( 3 ) 2
43
1
By multiplying the expression ( 2 3 ) by ( 2 3 )
the surd has disappeared.
However, if we multiply the denominator by ( 2 3 )
we must multiply the numerator by the same amount.
 Harder Surds

Solution:
2 3
1 1

2 3 2 3 2 3
2 3

43
2 3
The process of removing surds from the
denominator is called rationalising.
 Harder Surds

SUMMARY

To rationalise the denominator of a fraction of

the form
a b
p q
. . . multiply the numerator and denominator by
p q