How to work with square roots

When simplifying square roots, look for perfect square roots. (Perfect square roots are numbers like 4, 9, 16 where the same number can be multiplied to generate the number) The square root of 4 is 2 because 2*2=4. So factor the numbers under the radical (square root symbol) and look for perfect square roots. You can also factor numbers down to their lowest common factors. If you do this, then you look for sets of two numbers that are the same. For every two numbers that are the same under the radical symbol you can pull one out of the radical symbol.

Adding and subtracting square roots is like adding and subtracting like terms. You can only add or subtract numbers with square roots of they have the same square root.

When multiplying square roots you need to remember that numbers under the radical can multiply together and numbers outside of the square root multiply together.

Dividing by square roots is a difficult task. Therefore to make it easier, we do what is commonly called "rationalizing the denominator".