Math Worksheets

Archive for October, 2006

Question: Multiplying and dividing Radical Expressions?

I have to do a worksheet for my Algebra 2 class that I dont understand how to do, there are directions but i get confused very easily. The worksheet is on Multiplying and dividing Radical Expressions: Rationalizing the denominator and Simplifying. Directions say to assume all variables are positive. The worksheet is listed below (Reteaching 7-2), I also have to do a simpler one on Reteaching 7-1, but that one is not viewable. I’m not expecting you to do my homework for me, I’m just asking if someone can help me understand it (my math teacher sucks) or if you know of a website perhaps, that could help me. Every website I find on google is too easy of problems to help me get throught my assignment, considering I suck at math! lol. Thanks in advanced for any help I get.

Answer: different ways for different situations

1 – if the numerator can be divided evenly by the denominator do that first.
SQRT 80/SQRT5
SQRT80/5
SQRT16
4

2- if they are exponents than use your rules
SQRTx^6y^7/SQRTx^7y^2
SQRTx^6y^7/x^7y^2
SQRTy^(7-2)/x^7-6)
SQRTy^5/x
SQRTy^4y/x
y^2SQRTy/x
Now this step is under debate – it looks like your book gets rid of radicals in the denominator
y^2/xSQRTyx

Multiplying Variables

Our Equivalent Fractions Worksheets are designed to help math students learn about equivalent fractions. The concept of equivalent fractions is a very useful one both in math and in everyday life. Many times, you will find yourself using equivalent fractions without even knowing it. 

How to find equivalent fractions?

To illustrate how to find equivalent fractions, let’s examine the fractions: 

The fractions above are equivalent fractions. Let’s illustrate this equivalent fraction example another way. 

• If John has $60. He decides to divide three ways and gives 2/3 of his $60 to Mary. Mary will get 2/3 x $60 = $40.
• But if John decides to split his $60 into 6 portions and gives Mary 4 portions out of six. May will get 4/6 x $60 which is still $40.
• Therefore, in both examples, Mary gets $40 from John. Since both 2/3 of John’s money and 4/6 of the same amount gives Mary exactly $40, 2/3 and 4/6 are equivalent fractions.

So, in order to find equivalent fractions, you need to make either the numerators or denominators of the two fractions the same. 

In the above example, if you are trying to solve the equivalent fractions problem:

Then, you will want to find a number such that when multiplied by three equals 6. In this case 3 x 2 = 6. So, the factor you are looking for is 2. The next step is to multiply the numerator by the same factor. The numerator is 2 and 2 x 2 = 4. That means your equivalent fraction is 4/6 as illustrated above.

3rd grade math