How To Rationalize Square Roots?

To rationalize square roots, you look for perfect square factors in the numerator and denominator. By factoring out these perfect square factors, you can write the radical in a form where the radicand is not a perfect square.

For example, to rationalize √12/√3:

√12/√3

Factor a √4 out of the numerator and a √1 out of the denominator:

√4×√3/√1×√3

Simplify the radicals:

2√3/√3

Finally, simplify the fraction:

2

So the rationalized form of √12/√3 is 2.

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Related tutorial videos:

Rationalize the Denominator and Simplify With Radicals, Variables, Square Roots, Cube Roots, Algebra

How to rationalize a denominator | Exponent expressions and equations | Algebra I | Khan Academy