This topic introduces the fundamentals of radical expressions. In this six lesson series, the student learns the definition of radicals. The student also learns how to add, subtract, and multiply radical expressions.
In this lesson, the student is introduced to many special definitions that involve radicals. Words like radical, radicand, and order are given. Examples are used to illustrate the square root, cube root, fourth root, and fifth root of numbers to show the student the notation behind radical expressions.
In this lesson, the student learns the even-odd principle of radicals. The student learns radicals of an even order have two solutions, if they exist, while radicals of an odd order have one solution. The student also learns that the square root of a negative number is not a real number.
This lesson introduces the product rule for radicals. The student also learns how to simplify radicals that contain whole numbers.
In this lesson, the student learns how to add and subtract radicals. The student first learns that radicals with different bases or different orders cannot be added or subtracted. The student then sees how simplifying a radical can allow the bases to align, so that radical expressions can be added or subtracted.
This lesson introduces the student to multiplying radicals. The student learns that they can multiply radicals of the same order together. They also learn how to simplify the product.
In this lesson, the student is introduced to using the distributive property to multiply radicals.