What does rationalize mean in radicals?

The process of multiplying a radical by another radical to get a rational number is called rationalization. Each radical is called the rationalizing factor or conjugate of the other.

What does it mean to rationalize the denominator?

In other words, we can say, rationalizing the denominator means moving the radical term (square root or cube root) to the numerator, such that a denominator is a whole number. When we rationalise the denominator, then it becomes easy to find the sum or difference of given fractions.

What is a radical in math?

MORE: Radical – The √ symbol that is used to denote square root or nth roots. Radical Expression – A radical expression is an expression containing a square root. Radicand – A number or expression inside the radical symbol. Radical equation – An equation containing radical expressions with variables in the radicands.

What does rationalizing mean?

transitive verb. : to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable especially : to attribute (one’s actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives he tried to rationalize his cruel behavior. intransitive verb.

What does it mean to rationalize in math?

Rationalization is a process that finds application in elementary algebra, where it is used to eliminate the irrational number in the denominator. There are many rationalizing techniques which are used to rationalize the denominator. The word rationalize literally means making something more efficient.

How do we simplify expressions with radicals in the denominator?

So, in order to rationalize the denominator, we need to get rid of all radicals that are in the denominator.

  1. Step 1: Multiply numerator and denominator by a radical that will get rid of the radical in the denominator.
  2. Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified.
  3. Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.