Multiplying radicals is a critical skill in algebra. When you encounter an expression involving radicals, like \( 4x√{y}\), it means you are dealing with the square root of numbers or variables. For example, in our original expression \( (4x√{y} - 2y√{x})(4x√{y} + 2y√{x})\), each component involves radicals.
To multiply these, you multiply the coefficients (numbers in front) and then the radicals separately:
- \ (4x√{y})^2 = (4x)^2(√{y})^2 = 16x^2y \
- \ (2y√{x})^2 = (2y)^2(√{x})^2 = 4y^2x \
This allows you to effectively simplify the terms and combine them, providing a clean and understandable result.