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Answer 1 · 2018-02-06T00:47:05

See if you can factor a perfect square out of the radical

When simplifying radicals, it helps to see if you can factor out a perfect square. Examples below:

#sqrt63=#

63 is the product of 9 and 7, so the products of #sqrt63# are #sqrt9# and #sqrt7#.

#sqrt63=color(red)sqrt9*sqrt7# (#sqrt9# can be simplified to 3)

#sqrt63=color(red)3sqrt7# (Notice, 9 is a perfect square)

Similarly, we can do the same to simplify #sqrt80#:

#sqrt80= sqrt16*sqrt5# (because #16*5=80#). #sqrt16# can be simplified to 4.

#sqrt80=4sqrt5#

Remember, if there's just a number under the radical, we can try to factor out a perfect square, and simplify from there.