To simplify a square root, make the number inside the square root as small as possible.
Table of Contents
How to Simplifying Square Roots
Rule
where a, b > 0
Example
√45 = √(9×5)
√45 = √9 x √5
√45 = 3√5
Simplifying Square Roots for Fractions
Rule
Example
Surds
Surd is a root we can’t simplify further. So √5 is a surd. But √9 = 3 is not a surd.