Chapter 8: Problem 26
Simplify the given radical expression. $$ \sqrt{121} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \sqrt{121} = 11 \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Radical Expression
The expression we need to simplify is \( \sqrt{121} \). This is a square root, which implies we need to find a number, when multiplied by itself, equals 121.
02
Determine the Perfect Square
121 is a perfect square. To simplify \( \sqrt{121} \), we need to find the integer value whose square is 121. We check small numbers and find that \( 11 \times 11 = 121 \).
03
Simplify the Radical
Since 11 squared equals 121, the square root of 121 simplifies to 11. Therefore, \( \sqrt{121} = 11 \).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Roots
Square roots are fascinating mathematical tools. They let us find a number that, when multiplied by itself, reaches a specific value. For example, \( \sqrt{121} \) asks what number squared equals 121. Here's how to think about it:
The symbol for a square root is \( \sqrt{} \), which is a handy representation for this operation. Understanding this helps to demystify numerous math problems quickly.
- Consider the operation "squaring" a number, which means multiplying it by itself.
- Square rooting is the reverse — starting from the squared number, what was the original number?
- In our case, the original number squared to get 121 is 11. So, the square root of 121 is 11.
The symbol for a square root is \( \sqrt{} \), which is a handy representation for this operation. Understanding this helps to demystify numerous math problems quickly.
Perfect Squares
Perfect squares are numbers that you get when you multiply a whole number by itself. They play a key role when simplifying square roots. Let's break down what perfect squares are:
- Start by taking any whole number, like 1, 2, or 3, and multiply it by itself. The results (1, 4, 9...) are perfect squares.
- For instance, 11 is a whole number, and when squared (11 times 11), we get 121.
- This means 121 is a perfect square because it derives from an integer squared.
Radical Expressions
Radical expressions involve roots, such as square roots, cube roots, and more. Simplifying them is a way of making these expressions easier to work with. Here's a closer look at what they entail and how to simplify them:
- Radicals often include expressions like \( \sqrt{a} \), where 'a' is a number or expression under the radical sign.
- The goal of simplifying radicals is to "clean up" the expression by breaking it down into a simpler form. This often involves finding perfect squares.
- In our example, \( \sqrt{121} \) is already a simple radical because 121 is a perfect square. The process becomes about finding the base number, which is 11 in this case.