A-Level Maths Edexcel (9MA0)

#1.2.2 Surds

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Use and manipulate surds, including rationalising the denominator.

Students should be able to simplify algebraic surds using the results:

  • (x)2=x(\sqrt{x})^2 = x
  • xy=xy\sqrt{xy} = \sqrt{x}\sqrt{y}
  • (x+y)(x−y)=x−y(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{y})(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}) = x-y

Skills

Simplify surds
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Multiply and divide surds
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Add and subtract surds
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Expand brackets involving surds
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Rationalise denominator of form a/√b
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Rationalise denominator of form a/(b + √c)
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