IGCSE ADD MATH 0606

Surd

A surd is a square root that cannot be expressed as a rational number (a quotient of real numbers), for example 2=
1.414213562... = is a surd.
There following results apply when you are manipulating surds:

1 √2 × √2 2 √2 × √3

3 √16 × √2 4 8 2 

5 3
24  6 24  8 

7 √24 8 3√2 + 2√2

√6

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 IGCSE ADD MATH 0606
9 √32 + √18 10 5 6  2 24  294 

11 √24 + √486 12 2√75 − √75

13 √32 + √98 14 √112 − √63

15 √405 − 2√180 16 √768 + √48

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 IGCSE ADD MATH 0606
Mixed numbers

We cannot simplify an expression such as 2 + 3√2 or √2 + √3 because there are no common terms.

1 2 + 3√2 2 6 + 3√3 (5 − 2√3 )

3 (2 + 3√2)(1 + √3 ) 4 (2 + 3√2 )(1 + √2 )

The conjugate
When we have a mixed number, + √ , we can create another mixed number by changing the sign. The product of
these two numbers is
+ √ − √ = −

This is an integer. Two numbers like this are called conjugate.

1 ( 4 7  5 )( 4 7  5 )  2 3 + 4√5 (3 − 4√5 )

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 IGCSE ADD MATH 0606
3 6 + 3√3 (6 − 3√3 ) 4 5 + 2√3 (5 − 2√3 )

Rationalizing the denominator

When dealing with expressions where surds appear in the denominator, it is usual to eliminate all surds in the denominator
where possible.
1 3 5 2 16
 
2 6 4 2

3 √5 4 9 12

√3 2 18

5 4 6 12√12
√6 √24

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 IGCSE ADD MATH 0606
7 18√21 8 15√32
√108 √72

9 1 10 2
 
2 3 2 5

11 1 12 1
1 − √3 3 + 2√2

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 IGCSE ADD MATH 0606
13 1 + 3√3 14 3 − √2
2 − 2√3 2 + 3√2

15 2 3 2 16 2 + √5

3 2 3 3 − √5

17 2 − √7 18 3 + 3√5
3 + √7 1 − 2√5

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