How do I simplify a surd?
To simplify a surd, remember thatsqrt(a*b) = sqrt(a)sqrt(b)If either a or b are square numbers, you can simply write its square root. Hence, to simplify a surd, you must look for any factors of the number inside the square root that are sqaure numbers.For example, sqrt(20) = sqrt(45) = sqrt(4)*sqrt(5)sqrt(4) = 2 therefore sqrt(20) = 2sqrt(5)
