Adding and Subtracting Surds

Like surds

You can only add or subtract 'like' surds, just like like terms in algebra.

2√3 + 5√3 = 7√3

6√2 - 4√2 = 2√2

Unlike surds

Simplify first, then collect like terms.

Example: √8 + √18 = 2√2 + 3√2 = 5√2

Example: √50 - √32 = 5√2 - 4√2 = √2

Note: √2 + √3 cannot be simplified further.

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Related Exercises

Add and subtract

Simplify:3√5 + 2√57√3 - 4√3√12 + √27√45 - √202√8 + √18 - √25√6 - 2√24 + √54

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