Definitions of surds: A root of a positive real quantity is called a surd if its value cannot be exactly determined. It is a number that can’t be simplified to remove a square root (or cube root etc). For example, each of the quantities √3, ∛7, ∜19, (16)^2/5 etc. is a surd.
More Examples:
- √2 (square root of 2) can’t be simplified further so it is a surd
- √4 (square root of 4) CAN be simplified to 2, so it is NOT a surd
A quadratic surd is an irrational number that is the solution to some quadratic equation with rational coefficients which is irreducible over the set of rational numbers. A number of the form (±√a), where ‘a’ is a positive rational number which is not the square of another rational number is called a pure quadratic surd. A number of the form (a ± √b), where ‘a’ is rational √b is a pure quadratic surd is sometimes called a mixed quadratic surd.
Product of two unlike Quadratic Surds
The product of two, unlike quadratic surds, cannot be rational.
Suppose, let √p and √q be two, unlike quadratic surds.
We have to show that √p ∙ √q cannot be rational.
If possible, let us assume, √p ∙ √q = r where r is rational.
Therefore, √q = r/√p = (r ∙ √p)/(√p ∙ √p) = (r /p) √p
√q = (a rational quantity) √p, [Since, r and p both are rational, therefore, r/p is rational.)
Now from the above expression we clearly see that √p and √q are like surds, which is a contradiction. Therefore, our assumption cannot hold i.e., √p ∙ √q cannot be rational.
Therefore, the product of two, unlike quadratic surds, cannot be rational.
Notes:
- In like manner, we can show that the quotient of two, unlike quadratic surds, cannot be rational.
- The product of two like quadratic surds always represents a rational quantity.
For example, consider two like quadratic surds m√z and n√z where m and n are rational.
Now the product of m√z and n√z = m√z ∙ n√z = mn(√z^2)= mnz, which is a rational quantity.
- The quotient of two like quadratic surds always represents a rational quantity. For example, consider, For example, consider two like quadratic surds m√z and n√z where m and n are rational.
Now the quotient of m√z and n√z = (m√z)/(n√z) = m/n, which is a rational quantity.
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