Radical Expressions And Equations Study Cards

Enhance Your Learning with Radical Expressions and Equations Flash Cards for quick understanding



Radical

A symbol (√) used to represent the square root or other roots of a number.

Radical Expression

An expression that contains a radical (√) symbol.

Index

The number written above the radical symbol (√) that indicates the root being taken.

Radicand

The number or expression inside the radical symbol (√).

Simplify

To simplify a radical expression means to rewrite it in its simplest form by removing any perfect square factors from the radicand.

Square Root

The square root (√) of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number.

Cube Root

The cube root (∛) of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives the original number.

Fourth Root

The fourth root (∜) of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself four times, gives the original number.

Nth Root

The nth root (√ₙ) of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself n times, gives the original number.

Rationalizing the Denominator

The process of eliminating radicals from the denominator of a fraction by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by a suitable expression.

Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions

To add or subtract radical expressions, combine like terms by adding or subtracting the coefficients of the like radicals.

Multiplying Radical Expressions

To multiply radical expressions, multiply the coefficients and multiply the radicands.

Dividing Radical Expressions

To divide radical expressions, divide the coefficients and divide the radicands.

Conjugate

The conjugate of a binomial is obtained by changing the sign between the terms.

Solving Radical Equations

To solve radical equations, isolate the radical term and then raise both sides of the equation to the appropriate power to eliminate the radical.

Extraneous Solution

An extraneous solution is a solution that does not satisfy the original equation.

Quadratic Equation

An equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants and a ≠ 0.

Radical Equation

An equation that contains a radical (√) symbol.

One Solution

A radical equation has one solution if the equation simplifies to a true statement after isolating the radical term and squaring both sides.

No Solution

A radical equation has no solution if the equation simplifies to a false statement after isolating the radical term and squaring both sides.

Direct Variation

A relationship between two variables in which their ratio is constant.

Inverse Variation

A relationship between two variables in which their product is constant.

Joint Variation

A relationship between three or more variables in which one variable varies directly with the product of the other variables.

Radical Function

A function that contains a radical (√) symbol.

Domain

The set of all possible input values (x-values) of a function.

Range

The set of all possible output values (y-values) of a function.

Graphing Radical Functions

To graph radical functions, plot points by substituting different x-values into the function and then connect the points with a smooth curve.

Even Root Function

A radical function with an even index (2, 4, 6, etc.) that is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.

Odd Root Function

A radical function with an odd index (3, 5, 7, etc.) that is symmetric with respect to the origin.

Vertical Shift

A transformation of a function that shifts the graph vertically up or down.

Horizontal Shift

A transformation of a function that shifts the graph horizontally left or right.

Vertical Stretch/Compression

A transformation of a function that vertically stretches or compresses the graph.

Horizontal Stretch/Compression

A transformation of a function that horizontally stretches or compresses the graph.

Reflection

A transformation of a function that reflects the graph across a line.

Absolute Value Function

A function of the form f(x) = |x|, where f(x) represents the distance between x and 0 on the number line.

Piecewise Function

A function that is defined by different equations or expressions for different intervals of the domain.

Radical Inequality

An inequality that contains a radical (√) symbol.

Solving Radical Inequalities

To solve radical inequalities, isolate the radical term and then square both sides of the inequality. Remember to check for extraneous solutions.

Compound Inequality

An inequality that consists of two or more inequalities joined by the words 'and' or 'or'.

Intersection

The set of values that satisfy both inequalities in a compound inequality joined by 'and'.

Union

The set of values that satisfy at least one of the inequalities in a compound inequality joined by 'or'.

Absolute Value Inequality

An inequality that contains an absolute value expression.

Solving Absolute Value Inequalities

To solve absolute value inequalities, isolate the absolute value expression and then split the inequality into two cases, one with a positive and one with a negative.

Interval Notation

A way to represent the solution set of an inequality using intervals on the number line.

Set-Builder Notation

A way to represent the solution set of an inequality using set notation.

Exponential Function

A function of the form f(x) = a^x, where a is a positive constant and x is a real number.

Exponential Growth

A type of exponential function where the base (a) is greater than 1, resulting in a graph that increases rapidly.

Exponential Decay

A type of exponential function where the base (a) is between 0 and 1, resulting in a graph that decreases rapidly.

Compound Interest

Interest that is calculated on the initial principal and any accumulated interest from previous periods.

Continuous Compound Interest

Interest that is compounded continuously, resulting in a formula of the form A = P * e^(rt), where A is the final amount, P is the principal, r is the interest rate, and t is the time in years.

Half-Life

The time it takes for half of a substance to decay or disintegrate.

Logarithm

The inverse operation of exponentiation. The logarithm of a number to a given base is the exponent to which the base must be raised to obtain that number.

Common Logarithm

A logarithm with base 10, often written as log(x).

Natural Logarithm

A logarithm with base e, where e is the mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.71828, often written as ln(x).

Logarithmic Function

A function of the form f(x) = logₐ(x), where a is the base and x is the argument.

Properties of Logarithms

Various rules and properties that can be used to simplify and manipulate logarithmic expressions.

Change of Base Formula

A formula used to evaluate logarithms with bases other than 10 or e, often written as logₐ(x) = log(x) / log(a).

Exponential Equation

An equation that contains an exponential function.

Solving Exponential Equations

To solve exponential equations, take the logarithm of both sides of the equation and use the properties of logarithms to simplify and solve for the variable.

Logarithmic Equation

An equation that contains a logarithmic function.

Solving Logarithmic Equations

To solve logarithmic equations, rewrite the equation in exponential form and solve for the variable.

Compound Interest Formula

A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where A is the final amount, P is the principal, r is the interest rate, n is the number of times interest is compounded per year, and t is the time in years.

Half-Life Formula

A = P(1/2)^(t/h), where A is the final amount, P is the initial amount, t is the time elapsed, and h is the half-life.

Logarithmic Property: Product Rule

logₐ(xy) = logₐ(x) + logₐ(y), where a is the base and x and y are positive numbers.

Logarithmic Property: Quotient Rule

logₐ(x/y) = logₐ(x) - logₐ(y), where a is the base and x and y are positive numbers.

Logarithmic Property: Power Rule

logₐ(x^r) = r * logₐ(x), where a is the base, x is a positive number, and r is a real number.

Logarithmic Property: Change of Base Rule

logₐ(x) = log(x) / log(a), where a is the base and x is a positive number.

Exponential Property: Product Rule

a^x * a^y = a^(x + y), where a is the base and x and y are real numbers.

Exponential Property: Quotient Rule

a^x / a^y = a^(x - y), where a is the base and x and y are real numbers.

Exponential Property: Power Rule

(a^x)^y = a^(xy), where a is the base and x and y are real numbers.

Exponential Property: Zero Rule

a^0 = 1, where a is the base.