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Maths · Number

Surds

The square root of 2 can never be written exactly as a decimal or a fraction - but it can be written exactly as a surd. Surds let you give exact answers, simplify roots, and clear roots out of the bottom of a fraction.

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  • 6 key terms
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Teacher resources

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Student handouts

The same files the students see, to print or hand out.

Last Lesson and Before

Answer each one, then check.

  1. 1

    What is \(\sqrt{36}\)?

    Show answerHide answer

    \(6\)

  2. 2

    What is \(\sqrt{4} \times \sqrt{9}\)?

    Show answerHide answer

    \(2 \times 3 = 6\) - the same as \(\sqrt{36}\).

  3. 3

    Expand \(3(x + 2)\).

    Show answerHide answer

    \(3x + 6\)

  4. 4

    Last lesson: write \(4 \times 10^3\) as an ordinary number.

    Show answerHide answer

    \(4000\)

  5. 5

    Which of these is a whole number: \(\sqrt{16}\) or \(\sqrt{17}\)?

    Show answerHide answer

    \(\sqrt{16} = 4\). \(\sqrt{17}\) is not a whole number.

Learning Objectives

  1. 1Know what rational and irrational numbers are, and what a surd is.
  2. 2Simplify surds such as \(\sqrt{72}\).
  3. 3Multiply, divide, add and subtract surds.
  4. 4Expand brackets containing surds.
  5. 5Rationalise the denominator of a fraction such as \(\dfrac{6}{\sqrt{3}}\).

What Is a Surd?

A surd is a root that cannot be written exactly as a fraction or a terminating or recurring decimal.

  • Rational numbers

    Can be written as a fraction of two integers: \(\frac{3}{4}\), \(-7\), \(0.6\), \(\sqrt{25} = 5\).

  • Irrational numbers

    Cannot: \(\sqrt{2} = 1.414\,213\,56\ldots\), \(\pi = 3.141\,592\,65\ldots\) The decimals never end and never repeat.

  • Surds

    Roots that are irrational: \(\sqrt{2}\), \(\sqrt{10}\), \(\sqrt[3]{5}\). \(\sqrt{9}\) is not a surd, because \(\sqrt{9} = 3\).

  • Why use them

    \(\sqrt{2}\) is exact; 1.414 is not. When a question says "give your answer in surd form", it wants the exact answer.

Rational or Irrational?

Rational

  • \(\frac{3}{4}\)
  • \(0.666\ldots = \frac{2}{3}\)
  • \(\sqrt{25} = 5\)
  • \(-7\)
  • \(\sqrt{\frac{4}{9}} = \frac{2}{3}\)

Irrational

  • \(\sqrt{2}\)
  • \(\sqrt{10}\)
  • \(\pi\)
  • \(\sqrt[3]{5}\)
  • \(1 + \sqrt{3}\)

The Rules for Surds

Roots can be split up and combined when multiplying and dividing - but not when adding.

  • Multiplying

    \(\sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab}\). \(\sqrt{2} \times \sqrt{8} = \sqrt{16} = 4\).

  • Dividing

    \(\dfrac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}} = \sqrt{\dfrac{a}{b}}\). \(\dfrac{\sqrt{50}}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{25} = 5\).

  • A surd times itself

    \(\sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{a} = a\). \(\sqrt{7} \times \sqrt{7} = 7\).

  • Not for adding

    \(\sqrt{a + b}\) is NOT \(\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}\): \(\sqrt{9 + 16} = \sqrt{25} = 5\), but \(\sqrt{9} + \sqrt{16} = 7\).

Simplifying a Surd

Simplify \(\sqrt{72}\)

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Find the largest square number that is a factor of 72 Square numbers: 4, 9, 16, 25, 36 ... and \(36 \times 2 = 72\)
  2. 2 Split the root \(\sqrt{72} = \sqrt{36} \times \sqrt{2}\)
  3. 3 Work out the square root \(\sqrt{36} = 6\)

Answer\(\sqrt{72} = 6\sqrt{2}\)

Adding Surds

Simplify \(\sqrt{50} + \sqrt{18}\)

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Simplify each surd \(\sqrt{50} = \sqrt{25} \times \sqrt{2} = 5\sqrt{2}\) and \(\sqrt{18} = \sqrt{9} \times \sqrt{2} = 3\sqrt{2}\)
  2. 2 They are now "like surds" - both multiples of \(\sqrt{2}\) \(5\sqrt{2} + 3\sqrt{2}\)
  3. 3 Add them like algebra: \(5x + 3x = 8x\) \(8\sqrt{2}\)

Answer\(8\sqrt{2}\)

Expanding Brackets with Surds

Expand and simplify \((3 + \sqrt{2})(5 - \sqrt{2})\)

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 First times first \(3 \times 5 = 15\)
  2. 2 Outer and inner \(3 \times (-\sqrt{2}) = -3\sqrt{2}\) and \(\sqrt{2} \times 5 = 5\sqrt{2}\)
  3. 3 Last times last \(\sqrt{2} \times (-\sqrt{2}) = -2\)
  4. 4 Collect like terms \(15 - 2 = 13\) and \(-3\sqrt{2} + 5\sqrt{2} = 2\sqrt{2}\)

Answer\(13 + 2\sqrt{2}\)

Rationalising the Denominator

To rationalise a fraction like \(\dfrac{a}{\sqrt{b}}\), multiply the top AND the bottom by \(\sqrt{b}\).

  • Why it works

    Multiplying top and bottom by the same number does not change a fraction's value, and \(\sqrt{b} \times \sqrt{b} = b\) removes the surd from the bottom.

  • Example

    \(\dfrac{6}{\sqrt{3}} = \dfrac{6 \times \sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3}} = \dfrac{6\sqrt{3}}{3} = 2\sqrt{3}\).

  • Always simplify

    Cancel any common factors, and simplify any surd left on top.

  • Exam wording

    "Rationalise the denominator" and "give your answer in the form \(a\sqrt{b}\)" both mean do this.

Rationalising

Rationalise the denominator of \(\dfrac{10}{\sqrt{5}}\). Give your answer in its simplest form.

Show the solutionHide the solution
  1. 1 Multiply the top and the bottom by \(\sqrt{5}\) \(\dfrac{10 \times \sqrt{5}}{\sqrt{5} \times \sqrt{5}}\)
  2. 2 The bottom becomes a whole number \(\sqrt{5} \times \sqrt{5} = 5\)
  3. 3 So \(\dfrac{10\sqrt{5}}{5}\)
  4. 4 Simplify \(10 \div 5 = 2\)

Answer\(2\sqrt{5}\)

Case study

A4 Paper and the Square Root of 2

Every A-size sheet of paper - A3, A4, A5 - has its long side \(\sqrt{2}\) times its short side. That is the one shape that stays exactly the same when you fold it in half: halve the long side of a sheet with sides 1 and \(\sqrt{2}\) and you get sides \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\) and 1, which is the same shape again. It is why an A4 page shrinks perfectly onto A5 on a photocopier. An A4 sheet is 210 mm by 297 mm, and \(297 \div 210 = 1.414\ldots\), which is \(\sqrt{2}\) to the nearest millimetre.

210 × 297 mm The size of an A4 sheet
\(1 : \sqrt{2}\) The ratio of the sides of every A-size sheet

Surd Simplifying Race

Simplify each. (a) \(\sqrt{12}\) (b) \(\sqrt{45}\) (c) \(\sqrt{200}\) (d) \(\sqrt{8} + \sqrt{32}\) (e) \(\sqrt{75} - \sqrt{27}\) (f) \(\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{15}\) (g) \((1 + \sqrt{3})^2\) (h) \(\dfrac{12}{\sqrt{6}}\)

1. Look for the largest square factor.

2. Simplify before adding or subtracting.

3. Rationalise any surd in the denominator.

A good answer shows: (a) \(2\sqrt{3}\) (b) \(3\sqrt{5}\) (c) \(10\sqrt{2}\) (d) \(2\sqrt{2} + 4\sqrt{2} = 6\sqrt{2}\) (e) \(5\sqrt{3} - 3\sqrt{3} = 2\sqrt{3}\) (f) \(\sqrt{45} = 3\sqrt{5}\) (g) \(1 + 2\sqrt{3} + 3 = 4 + 2\sqrt{3}\) (h) \(\dfrac{12\sqrt{6}}{6} = 2\sqrt{6}\)

Can I...?

  1. 1Explain what a surd is.
  2. 2Say whether a number is rational or irrational.
  3. 3Simplify a surd such as \(\sqrt{72}\).
  4. 4Multiply and divide surds.
  5. 5Add and subtract like surds.
  6. 6Expand brackets containing surds.
  7. 7Rationalise a denominator like \(\dfrac{a}{\sqrt{b}}\).
  8. 8Give an exact answer in surd form.

Summary & Exam Focus

  • A surd is an irrational root, and gives an exact value.
  • \(\sqrt{ab} = \sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b}\): take out the largest square factor to simplify.
  • Only like surds can be added or subtracted.
  • Rationalise \(\dfrac{a}{\sqrt{b}}\) by multiplying the top and the bottom by \(\sqrt{b}\).

Exam focus

Rationalise the denominator of \(\dfrac{12}{\sqrt{3}}\). Give your answer in its simplest form. (2 marks) (2 marks)

"Exact" or "surd form" means do not use a decimal. Leave the root in the answer and simplify it as far as it goes.

Key terms

The vocabulary this lesson expects you to use. Each one is linked from the first place it appears above.

Rational number
A number that can be written as a fraction of two integers.
Irrational number
A number that cannot be written as a fraction; its decimal never ends or repeats.
Surd
A root that is irrational, such as \(\sqrt{2}\) or \(\sqrt{10}\).
Like surds
Multiples of the same surd, such as \(5\sqrt{2}\) and \(3\sqrt{2}\), which can be added and subtracted.
Simplest form
A surd with the largest possible square number taken out, e.g. \(6\sqrt{2}\).
Rationalise the denominator
Rewrite a fraction so there is no surd on the bottom.

Questions and answers

9 questions set on this lesson, with the mark schemes and model answers open.

1. Exam question Non-calculator 1 mark Easier

Write \(\sqrt{45}\) in the form \(k\sqrt{5}\), where \(k\) is an integer.

Mark scheme — 1 mark available

  • \(3\sqrt{5}\) — B1

Model answer

\(\sqrt{45} = \sqrt{9} \times \sqrt{5} = 3\sqrt{5}\)

2. Exam question Non-calculator 2 marks Easier

Rationalise the denominator of \(\dfrac{12}{\sqrt{3}}\). Give your answer in its simplest form.

Mark scheme — 2 marks available

  • Multiplying the top and the bottom by \(\sqrt{3}\) — M1
  • \(4\sqrt{3}\) — A1

Model answer

\(\dfrac{12}{\sqrt{3}} \times \dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = \dfrac{12\sqrt{3}}{3} = 4\sqrt{3}\)

3. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

Expand and simplify \((2 + \sqrt{3})(4 - \sqrt{3})\). Give your answer in the form \(a + b\sqrt{3}\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • At least 3 of the 4 terms correct: \(8\), \(-2\sqrt{3}\), \(4\sqrt{3}\), \(-3\) — M1
  • All 4 terms correct — M1
  • \(5 + 2\sqrt{3}\) — A1

Model answer

\(8 - 2\sqrt{3} + 4\sqrt{3} - 3 = 5 + 2\sqrt{3}\)

4. Exam question Non-calculator · Show that 3 marks Easier

Show that \(\sqrt{98} + \sqrt{8} = 9\sqrt{2}\)

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • \(\sqrt{98} = 7\sqrt{2}\) or \(\sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2}\) — M1
  • Both simplified correctly — M1
  • Correctly added to reach \(9\sqrt{2}\) — A1

Model answer

\(\sqrt{98} = \sqrt{49} \times \sqrt{2} = 7\sqrt{2}\). \(\sqrt{8} = \sqrt{4} \times \sqrt{2} = 2\sqrt{2}\). \(7\sqrt{2} + 2\sqrt{2} = 9\sqrt{2}\).

5. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

The diagram shows the right-angled triangle ABC. \(AB = \sqrt{5}\) cm and \(BC = \sqrt{11}\) cm. Work out the length of \(AC\).

A right-angled triangle ABC with the right angle at B, AB = root 5 cm and BC = root 11 cm.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • \((\sqrt{5})^2 + (\sqrt{11})^2\) or \(5 + 11\) — M1
  • \(\sqrt{16}\) — M1
  • 4 (cm) — A1

Model answer

\(AC^2 = (\sqrt{5})^2 + (\sqrt{11})^2 = 5 + 11 = 16\), so \(AC = \sqrt{16} = 4\) cm.

6. Exam question Non-calculator 3 marks Easier

A rectangle has length \((3 + \sqrt{5})\) cm and width \((3 - \sqrt{5})\) cm. Work out the area of the rectangle.

Mark scheme — 3 marks available

  • Area \(= (3 + \sqrt{5})(3 - \sqrt{5})\) — M1
  • At least 3 of the 4 terms correct: \(9\), \(-3\sqrt{5}\), \(+3\sqrt{5}\), \(-5\) — M1
  • 4 (cm²) — A1

Model answer

\((3 + \sqrt{5})(3 - \sqrt{5}) = 9 - 3\sqrt{5} + 3\sqrt{5} - 5 = 4\) cm²

7. Multiple choice 1 mark Easier

What is \(\sqrt{12}\) in its simplest form?

  1. A \(3\sqrt{2}\)
  2. B \(2\sqrt{3}\) Correct
  3. C \(6\sqrt{2}\)
  4. D \(4\sqrt{3}\)

Why: \(12 = 4 \times 3\), and \(\sqrt{4} = 2\), so \(\sqrt{12} = 2\sqrt{3}\).

8. Multiple choice 1 mark Core

What is \(\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{8}\)?

  1. A \(\sqrt{10}\)
  2. B \(4\)
  3. C \(3\sqrt{2}\) Correct
  4. D \(2\sqrt{5}\)

Why: \(\sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2}\), so \(\sqrt{2} + 2\sqrt{2} = 3\sqrt{2}\).

9. Multiple choice 1 mark Stretch

Rationalise the denominator of \(\dfrac{6}{\sqrt{2}}\).

  1. A \(3\sqrt{2}\) Correct
  2. B \(6\sqrt{2}\)
  3. C \(\sqrt{3}\)
  4. D \(\dfrac{12}{\sqrt{2}}\)

Why: Multiply the top and bottom by \(\sqrt{2}\): \(\dfrac{6\sqrt{2}}{2} = 3\sqrt{2}\).