Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions Section 8.4 Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Radical Expressions
Addition and Subtraction We can only add or subtract Like Radicals. Like Radicals have identical radicands and root indices To add/subtract: just add or subtract the coefficients and leave the radical alone. EX:
If they are not Like Radicals… Try simplifying each radical to see if you can get the same radicand. EX:
Multiplication Use distribution or FOIL when indicated. ALWAYS check to see if any radicals in the product can be simplified! EX: