Fractions like \displaystyle\frac{3}{5} or \frac{ }{ }\displaystyle\frac{x^2 - 2x}{17} have rational
denominators. In other words the number on the bottom of the fraction is a
rational number. The fraction \displaystyle\frac{5}{\sqrt{17} } has an irrational
denominator. This kind of fraction can be converted to a fraction with a
rational denominator. The process of doing this is called "rationalising the
denominator" and consists of multiplying the fraction by a suitable fraction of
the form \displaystyle\frac{a}{a}, where
a is chosen specially. Note that, for any surd
(x+\sqrt{y})(x-\sqrt{y}) = x^2-y
Summary/Background
"Rationalising the denominator" means changing a fraction so that
the denominator (the term on the bottom) does not have a surd in it. The method
consists of multiplying the fraction by another fraction that actually equals
1. In every case above, the first step is to multiply by a fraction of unit
value.
The expression \sqrt{x} means the positive square root of x and is called a surd.
Surds such as \sqrt{2} can be evaluated on a calculator, for example \sqrt{2} = 1.414... \, \,, however this immediately introduces the issue of accuracy. Instead of evaluating, we use some algebraic properties of surds in order to simplify them, for example factors that are square numbers themselves.
Remember the all-important rules:
Surds such as \sqrt{2} can be evaluated on a calculator, for example \sqrt{2} = 1.414... \, \,, however this immediately introduces the issue of accuracy. Instead of evaluating, we use some algebraic properties of surds in order to simplify them, for example factors that are square numbers themselves.
Remember the all-important rules:
- \sqrt{ab} = \sqrt{a}\sqrt{b}
- \displaystyle \sqrt{\frac{a}{b} } =\frac{ \sqrt{a} }{\sqrt{b} }
- \sqrt{a + b} \ne \sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}
- \sqrt{a - b} \ne \sqrt{a} - \sqrt{b}
Software/Applets used on this page
Glossary
denominator
the integer on the bottom of a fraction
fraction
A ratio of two numbers or polynomials.
square root
of a number n, that value that when squared equals n
surd
A number containing one or more irrational square roots.