Surds
A surd is a square root which cannot be reduced to a rational number.
For example, is not a surd.
However is a surd.
If you use a calculator, you will see that and we will need to round the answer correct to a few decimal places. This makes it less accurate.
If it is left as , then the answer has not been rounded, which keeps it exact.
Here are some general rules when simplifying expressions involving surds.
- am x an = am + n
am |
= am – n |
an |
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- (am)n = amn
- (ab)n = anbn
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n |
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an |
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bn |
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- a0 = 1
Questions
Level-I
1. |
(17)3.5 x (17)? = 178 |
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2. |
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3. |
Given that 100.48 = x, 100.70 = y and xz = y2, then the value of z is close to: |
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4. |
If 5a = 3125, then the value of 5(a – 3) is: |
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5. |
If 3(x – y) = 27 and 3(x + y) = 243, then x is equal to: |
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.6. |
(256)0.16 x (256)0.09 = ? |
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7. |
The value of [(10)150 ÷ (10)146] |
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8. |
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9. |
(25)7.5 x (5)2.5 ÷ (125)1.5 = 5? |
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10. |
(0.04)-1.5 = ? |
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Level-II
11. |
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12. |
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13. |
If m and n are whole numbers such that mn = 121, the value of (m – 1)n + 1 is: |
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14. |
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15. If 5√5 * 53 ÷ 5-3/2 = 5a+2 , the value of a is:
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 8
A. 3
17. (ab)x−2=(ba)x−7. What is the value of x ?
A. 3
18. (0.04)-2.5 = ?
A. 125
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Answers
Level-I
Answer:1 Option D
Explanation:
Let (17)3.5 x (17)x = 178.
Then, (17)3.5 + x = 178.
3.5 + x = 8
x = (8 – 3.5)
x = 4.5
Answer:2 Option C
Explanation:
Given |
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x – 1 |
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x – 3 |
b |
a |
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x – 1 |
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-(x – 3) |
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(3 – x) |
b |
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x – 1 = 3 – x
2x = 4
x = 2.
Answer:3 Option C
Explanation:
xz = y2 10(0.48z) = 10(2 x 0.70) = 101.40
0.48z = 1.40
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140 |
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35 |
= 2.9 (approx.) |
48 |
12 |
Answer:4 Option A
Explanation: