How do you rationalize the denominator of a fraction?

Questions which ask for you to rationalize the denominator usually includes an integer and a square root of a number (x+sqrt(y)).We can use the following formula to our advantage: (a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2. In this case, using x and y: (x+sqrt(y))(x-sqrt(y))=x^2-y, and we can see, that it eliminates the square root from the denominator.How can we achive this? By multiplying the fraction by 1, more specifically by (x-sqrt(y))/(x-sqrt(y)) or the other way around.

Answered by Maths tutor

3225 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How would you increase 400 by 7%


There are 5 cards in order from smallest to largest, _ _ _ _ 8. The range is 6, the median is 6, the mode is 2, and the mean is 5. Find the numbers missing on the 4 blank cards.


Make x the subject of the formula 4(2x-y) = 3ax - 5


Amber earns £7 for each hour she works from Monday to Friday. She earns £10 for each hour she works on Saturday. One week Amber worked for 4 hours on Saturday. That week she earned a total of £180. How many hours did Amber work that week?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning