440 CHAPTER 7 Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers

86. Find the area and perimeter of the trapezoid. (Hint: The 88. a. Add: 2 25 + 25
area of a trapezoid is the product of half the height 6 23
b. Multiply: 2 25 # 25
meters and the sum of the bases 2 263 and 7 27 meters.)
c. Describe the differences in parts (a) and (b).
2兹63 m
89. Multiply: 1 22 + 23 - 1 2 2 .
2兹27 m 6兹3 m 90. Multiply: 1 25 - 22 + 1 2 2
91. Explain how simplifying 2x + 3x is similar to simplifying
7兹7 m 2 2x + 3 2x.
92. Explain how multiplying 1x - 221x + 32 is similar to multi-
87. a. Add: 23 + 23. plying 1 2x - 22 21 2x + 3 2 .
b. Multiply: 23 # 23.
c. Describe the differences in parts (a) and (b).

7.5 Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators

of Radical Expressions
OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVES 1 Rationalizing Denominators of Radical Expressions

13
1 Rationalize Denominators. Often in mathematics, it is helpful to write a radical expression such as either
12
2 Rationalize Denominators without a radical in the denominator or without a radical in the numerator. The pro-
Having Two Terms. cess of writing this expression as an equivalent expression but without a radical in the
denominator is called rationalizing the denominator. To rationalize the denominator
3 Rationalize Numerators.
13
of , we use the fundamental principle of fractions and multiply the numerator and
12 12
the denominator by 22. Recall that this is the same as multiplying by , which
simplifies to 1. 12

23 23 # 22 26 26
= = =
22 22 # 22 24 2
In this section, we continue to assume that variables represent positive real numbers.

EXAMPLE 1 Rationalize the denominator of each expression.

2 2216 3 1
a. b. c.
25 29x A2

Solution
a. To rationalize the denominator, we multiply the numerator and denominator by a
factor that makes the radicand in the denominator a perfect square.

2 2 # 25 225
= =
25 # 25
The denominator is now rationalized.
25 5

b. First, we simplify the radicals and then rationalize the denominator.

2216 2142 8
= =
29x 32x 32x
To rationalize the denominator, multiply the numerator and denominator by 2x.
Then
8 8 # 2x 82x
= =
32x 32x # 2x 3x
 Section 7.5 Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions 441

3
3 1 2 1 1 3
c. = 3 = 3 . Now we rationalize the denominator. Since 2 2 is a cube root,
A2 22 22
we want to multiply by a value that will make the radicand 2 a perfect cube. If we
3 3 2 3 3 3
multiply 2 2 by 2 2 , we get 22 = 2 8 = 2.
1# 2
3 2 3 3
2 2 4 2 4 Multiply the numerator and denominator
= =
22 # 22
3 2
3 3 2 3
22 3 2 by 2 2 and then simplify.

PRACTICE

1 Rationalize the denominator of each expression.

5 3225 2 3
a. b. c.
23 24x A9

CONCEPT CHECK
Determine by which number both the numerator and denominator can be multiplied to rationalize the denominator of
the radical expression.
1 1
a. 3 b. 4
27 28

7x
EXAMPLE 2 Rationalize the denominator of .
A 3y
7x 27x
Solution = Use the quotient rule. No radical may be simplified further.
A 3y 23y
27x # 23y Multiply numerator and denominator by 13y so that
=
23y # 23y
the radicand in the denominator is a perfect square.

221xy Use the product rule in the numerator and denominator.

=
3y Remember that 13y # 13y = 3y .

PRACTICE
3z
2 Rationalize the denominator of .
A 5y

4
2 x
EXAMPLE 3 Rationalize the denominator of 4
.
2 81y 5
Solution First, simplify each radical if possible.
4 4
2 x 2 x
=
81y 4 # 2
Use the product rule in the denominator.
4 4 4
2 81y 5 2 y
4
2 x
= 4
4
Write 2 81y 4 as 3y.
3y2y
x# 2
4 4 3
2 y Multiply numerator and denominator by 2 4 3
y so that
=
y# 2
4 4 3 the radicand in the denominator is a perfect fourth power.
3y2 y
4
2 xy 3
= 4 4
Use the product rule in the numerator and denominator.
3y2y
4
2 xy 3
y = y and 3y # y = 3y 2 .
4 4
= In the denominator, 2
2
3y
3 2
Answer to Concept Check:
PRACTICE
2z
3 Rationalize the denominator of 3
.
3
a. 27 or 249
2 3 4
b. 22 2 27x4
442 CHAPTER 7 Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers

OBJECTIVE

2 Rationalizing Denominators Having Two Terms

Remember the product of the sum and difference of two terms?
1a + b21a - b2 = a 2 - b2
a Q
These two expressions are called conjugates of each other.
To rationalize a numerator or denominator that is a sum or difference of two terms,
we use conjugates. To see how and why this works, let’s rationalize the denominator of
5
the expression . To do so, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator
13 - 2
by 23 + 2, the conjugate of the denominator 23 - 2, and see what happens.

5 51 23 + 22
=
23 - 2 1 23 - 221 23 + 22
51 23 + 22 Multiply the sum and difference
=
1 232 - 2 2 2 of two terms: 1a + b21a - b2 = a 2 - b2.

51 23 + 22
=
3 - 4
51 23 + 22
=
-1
= -51 23 + 22 or -523 - 10

Notice in the denominator that the product of 1 23 - 22 and its conjugate,

1 23 + 22 , is -1. In general, the product of an expression and its conjugate will con-
tain no radical terms. This is why, when rationalizing a denominator or a numerator
containing two terms, we multiply by its conjugate. Examples of conjugates are
1a - 2b and 1a + 2b
x + 1y and x - 1y

EXAMPLE 4 Rationalize each denominator.

2 26 + 2 22m
a. b. c.
322 + 4 25 - 23 32x + 2m
Solution
a. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator,
312 + 4.

2 21322 - 42
=
322 + 4 1322 + 421322 - 42
21322 - 42
=
13222 2 - 42
21322 - 42
=
18 - 16
21322 - 42
= , or 322 - 4
2
It is often useful to leave a numerator in factored form to help determine whether
the expression can be simplified.
Section 7.5 Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions 443

b. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of 25 - 23.

26 + 2 1 26 + 2 2125 + 23 2
=
25 - 23 125 - 23 2125 + 23 2
2625 + 2623 + 225 + 223
=
1 25 2 2 - 1 23 2 2
230 + 218 + 225 + 223
=
5 - 3
230 + 322 + 225 + 223
=
2
c. Multiply by the conjugate of 32x + 2m to eliminate the radicals from the
denominator.

22m 22m 1 32x - 2m 2 62mx - 2m

= =
32x + 2m 1 32x + 2m 21 32x - 2m 2 1 32x 2 2 - 12m 2 2
62mx - 2m
=
9x - m
PRACTICE

4 Rationalize the denominator.

5 22 + 5 32x
a. b. c.
325 + 2 23 - 25 22x + 2y

OBJECTIVE

3 Rationalizing Numerators
23
As mentioned earlier, it is also often helpful to write an expression such as as
22
an equivalent expression without a radical in the numerator. This process is called
23
rationalizing the numerator. To rationalize the numerator of , we multiply the
22
numerator and the denominator by 23.
23 23 # 23 29 3
= = =
22 22 # 23 26 26

27
EXAMPLE 5 Rationalize the numerator of .
245
Solution First we simplify 245.
27 27 27
= =
245 29 # 5 325
Next we rationalize the numerator by multiplying the numerator and the denominator
by 27.
27 27 # 27 7 7
= = =
325 325 # 27 325 # 7 3235

PRACTICE
232
5 Rationalize the numerator of .
280
444 CHAPTER 7 Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers

3
2 2x2
EXAMPLE 6 Rationalize the numerator of 3
.
2 5y
Solution The numerator and the denominator of this expression are already simplified.
3
To rationalize the numerator, 2 2x2 , we multiply the numerator and denominator by a
3 3
factor that will make the radicand a perfect cube. If we multiply 2 2x2 by 2 4x, we get
3
2 8x3 = 2x.
2x2 # 2
3 3 3 3
2 2x2 2 4x 2 8x3 2x
= = = 3
3
25y 3 #
25y 24x 3 3
220xy 220xy
3
PRACTICE
2 5b
6 Rationalize the numerator of 3
.
2 2a

2x + 2
EXAMPLE 7 Rationalize the numerator of.
5
Solution We multiply the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the
numerator, 1x + 2.

2x + 2 1 2x + 2 21 2x - 2 2
= Multiply by 2x - 2 , the conjugate of 2x + 2 .
5 5 1 2x - 2 2
1 2x 2 2 - 22 1a + b21a - b2 = a 2 - b2
=
5 1 2x - 2 2
x - 4
=
5 1 2x - 2 2
PRACTICE
2x - 3
7 Rationalize the numerator of .
4

Vocabulary, Readiness & Video Check

Use the choices below to fill in each blank. Not all choices will be used.
23
rationalizing the numerator conjugate
23
rationalizing the denominator 5
5
1. The of a + b is a - b.
2. The process of writing an equivalent expression, but without a radical in the denominator is, called
.
3. The process of writing an equivalent expression, but without a radical in the numerator, is called .
5
4. To rationalize the denominator of , we multiply by .
23

Martin-Gay Interactive Videos Watch the section lecture video and answer the following questions.
OBJECTIVE

1 5. From Examples 1–3, what is the goal of rationalizing a denominator?

OBJECTIVE

2 6. From Example 4, why will multiplying a denominator by its conju-

gate always rationalize the denominator?
OBJECTIVE

3 7. From Example 5, is the process of rationalizing a numerator any dif-

ferent from rationalizing a denominator?
See Video 7.5
 Section 7.5 Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions 445

7.5 Exercise Set

Rationalize each denominator. See Examples 1 through 3. 22 - 23 23 + 24
45. 46.
22 23 22 + 23 22 - 23
1. 2.
27 22
2a + 1 2 2a - 3
1 1 47. 48.
3. 4. 2 2a - 2b 2 2a + 2b
A5 A2
4 25
5. 6.
Ax Ay 8 -3
49. 50.
4 6 1 + 210 26 - 2
7. 8. 3
3
2 3 2 9 2x 2 2a
51. 52.
3 5 2x + 2y 2 2x - 2y
9. 10.
28x 227a 2 23 + 26 4 25 + 22
53. 54.
3 5 4 23 - 26 2 25 - 22
11. 3
12.
24x 2 3
23y
9 x
13. 14. Rationalize each numerator. See Examples 5 and 6.
23a 25
3 5 5 3
15. 16. 55. 56.
3 3 A3 A2
2 2 2 9
18 12
2 23 - 5 22 57. 58.
17. 18. A5 A7
27 211
24x 23x 5
2x 13a 59. 60.
19. 20. 7 6
A 5y A 2b
3 3
2 5y 2 2 4x
33 7 3 61. 62.
21. 22. 3
2 4x
3 4
2z
A5 A 10
3x 11y 2 3
23. 24. 63. 64.
A 50 A5 A7
B 45
1 1 22x 2y
25. 26. 65. 66.
212z 232x 11 7
3 3
2 2y 2 23x 37 325
27. 28. 67. 68.
3
29x 2 3
24y 4 A8 A2
3
481 41 23x 5 3 9y
29. 30. 69. 70. A
A8 A9 10 7
4 16 5 32 18x 4y 6 8x 5y
31. 32. 71. 72.
A 9x 7 Am n 6 13
B 3z B 2z
5a 9y
33. 5
34.
28a b 9 11 4
24y 9 Rationalize each numerator. See Example 7.
Write the conjugate of each expression. 2 - 211 215 + 1
73. 74.
35. 22 + x 36. 23 + y 6 2
37. 5 - 2a 38. 6 - 2b 2 - 27 25 + 2
75. 76.
39. - 7 25 + 8 2x 40. - 9 22 - 6 2y -5 22
2x + 3 5 + 22
77. 78.
2x 22x
Rationalize each denominator. See Example 4.
22 - 1 28 - 23
6 3 79. 80.
41. 42. 22 + 1 22 + 23
2 - 27 27 - 4
2x + 1 2x + 2y
-7 -8 81. 82.
43. 44. 2x - 1 2x - 2y
2x - 3 2y + 4
446 CHAPTER 7 Rational Exponents, Radicals, and Complex Numbers

REVIEW AND PREVIEW 25y 3

91. Given , rationalize the denominator by following
Solve each equation. See Sections 2.1 and 5.8. 212x 3
83. 2x - 7 = 31x - 42 84. 9x - 4 = 71x - 22 parts (a) and (b).
85. 1x - 6212x + 12 = 0 86. 1y + 2215y + 42 = 0 a. Multiply the numerator and denominator by 212x 3 .
87. x 2 - 8x = -12 88. x 3 = x b. Multiply the numerator and denominator by 23x.
c. What can you conclude from parts (a) and (b)?
CONCEPT EXTENSIONS
3
2 5y
89. The formula of the radius r of a sphere with surface area A is 92. Given , rationalize the denominator by following parts
3
A 2 4
r = (a) and (b).
A 4p
3
Rationalize the denominator of the radical expression in a. Multiply the numerator and denominator by 216.
this formula. b. Multiply the numerator and denominator by 2 3
2.
c. What can you conclude from parts (a) and (b)?
r Determine the smallest number both the numerator and denomi-
nator should be multiplied by to rationalize the denominator of the
radical expression. See the Concept Check in this section.
9 5
93. 3
94.
90. The formula for the radius r of a cone with height 7 centime- 25 227
ters and volume V is 25
95. When rationalizing the denominator of , explain why
3V 27
r =
A 7p both the numerator and the denominator must be multi-
plied by 27.
Rationalize the numerator of the radical expression in this
formula. 25
96. When rationalizing the numerator of , explain why both
27
the numerator and the denominator must be multiplied by
25.
7 cm 97. Explain why rationalizing the denominator does not change
r the value of the original expression.
98. Explain why rationalizing the numerator does not change
the value of the original expression.

Integrated Review RADICALS AND RATIONAL EXPONENTS

Sections 7.1–7.5
Throughout this review, assume that all variables represent positive real numbers.
Find each root.
3 4 1
1. 281 2. 2 -8 3. 4. 2x6
A 16
3 9 5 4
5. 2y 6. 24y 10 7. 2 -32y 5 8. 2 81b12
Use radical notation to write each expression. Simplify if possible.
9. 361/2 10. 13y2 1/4 11. 64-2/3 12. 1x + 12 3/5
Use the properties of exponents to simplify each expression. Write with positive exponents.
12x1/3 2 4
13. y -1/6 # y 7/6 16. 41/3 # 42/5
x1/4x3/4
14. 15.
x5/6 x -1/4
Use rational exponents to simplify each radical.
18. 2
3 12
17. 2 8x6 a 9b 6
 Section 7.6 Radical Equations and Problem Solving 447

Use rational exponents to write each as a single radical expression.

19. 2x # 2x 20. 25 # 2
4 3
2
Simplify.
4 3 5
21. 240 22. 2 16x7y 10 23. 2 54x4 24. 2 -64b10
Multiply or divide. Then simplify if possible.
298y 6
25. 25 # 2x 8x # 2
4
3 3 2 48a 9b3
26. 2 8x2 27. 28. 4
22y 2 ab3
Perform each indicated operation.
31. 23 1 25 - 22 2
3 3
29. 220 - 275 + 527 30. 2 54y 4 - y2 16y
32. 1 27 + 23 2
2
33. 1 2x - 25 21 2x + 25 2 34. 1 2x + 1 - 12
2

Rationalize each denominator.

7 5 23 - 27
35. 36. 37.
A3 3
22x 2
223 + 27
Rationalize each numerator.
7 3 9y 2x - 2
38. 39. 40.
A3 A 11 2x

7.6 Radical Equations and Problem Solving

OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVES 1 Solving Equations That Contain Radical Expressions

In this section, we present techniques to solve equations containing radical expressions
1 Solve Equations That Contain such as
Radical Expressions.
22x - 3 = 9
2 Use the Pythagorean Theorem
to Model Problems. We use the power rule to help us solve these radical equations.

Power Rule
If both sides of an equation are raised to the same power, all solutions of the original
equation are among the solutions of the new equation.

This property does not say that raising both sides of an equation to a power yields an
equivalent equation. A solution of the new equation may or may not be a solution of
the original equation. For example, 1 -22 2 = 22 , but -2 ⬆ 2. Thus, each solution of
the new equation must be checked to make sure it is a solution of the original equation.
Recall that a proposed solution that is not a solution of the original equation is called
an extraneous solution.

EXAMPLE 1 Solve: 22x - 3 = 9.

Solution We use the power rule to square both sides of the equation to eliminate the
radical.
22x - 3 = 9
1 22x - 32 2 = 92
2x - 3 = 81
2x = 84
x = 42
Now we check the solution in the original equation.
(Continued on next page)