Simplify the Square Root Expression: √(49x²)

Square Root Simplification with Perfect Square Factors

Solve the following exercise:

49x2= \sqrt{49x^2}=

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:06 Let's simplify this expression together.
00:10 The square root of a number A, times the square root of a number B, is the square root of A times B.
00:18 We'll use this idea in our exercise.
00:21 Using the formula, we'll break down the root to two roots
00:25 leaving us with 49, which we can write as 7 squared.
00:30 Remember, the square root of A squared is just A.
00:35 Let's apply this to our exercise.
00:38 And that gives us our solution. Great job!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following exercise:

49x2= \sqrt{49x^2}=

2

Step-by-step solution

In order to simplify the given expression, apply the following three laws of exponents:

a. Definition of root as an exponent:

an=a1n \sqrt[n]{a}=a^{\frac{1}{n}}

b. Law of exponents for an exponent applied to terms in parentheses:

(ab)n=anbn (a\cdot b)^n=a^n\cdot b^n

c. Law of exponents for an exponent raised to an exponent:

(am)n=amn (a^m)^n=a^{m\cdot n}

We'll start with converting the fourth root to an exponent using the law of exponents mentioned in a.:

49x2=(49x2)12= \sqrt{49x^2}= \\ \downarrow\\ (49x^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}=

We'll continue, using the law of exponents mentioned in b. and apply the exponent to each factor in the parentheses:

(49x2)12=4912(x2)12 (49x^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}= \\ 49^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot(x^2)^{{\frac{1}{2}}}

We'll once again continue, using the law of exponents mentioned in c. and perform the exponent applied to the term with an exponent in parentheses (the second factor in the multiplication):

4912(x2)12=4912x212=4912x1=49x=7x 49^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot(x^2)^{{\frac{1}{2}}} = \\ 49^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot x^{2\cdot\frac{1}{2}}=\\ 49^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot x^{1}=\\ \sqrt{49}\cdot x=\\ \boxed{7x}

In the final steps, we first converted the power of one-half applied to the first factor in the multiplication back to the fourth root form, again, according to the definition of root as an exponent mentioned in a. (in reverse) and then calculated the known fourth root of 49.

Therefore, the correct answer is answer c.

3

Final Answer

7x 7x

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Apply ab=ab \sqrt{ab} = \sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} to separate perfect square factors
  • Technique: Recognize 49 as 72 7^2 and use x2=x \sqrt{x^2} = x
  • Check: Verify (7x)2=49x2 (7x)^2 = 49x^2 matches original expression ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Applying square root to only one factor
    Don't calculate 49=7 \sqrt{49} = 7 but leave x2 x^2 unchanged = 7x2 7x^2 ! This ignores the square root property for products. Always apply the square root to ALL factors under the radical.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Solve the following exercise:

\( \sqrt{\frac{2}{4}}= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is the answer 7x and not 7x²?

+

When you take the square root of x2 x^2 , you get x, not x2 x^2 ! Remember: x2=x \sqrt{x^2} = x because squaring and square root are inverse operations.

How do I know 49 is a perfect square?

+

49=7×7=72 49 = 7 \times 7 = 7^2 , so it's a perfect square! Practice memorizing perfect squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100... to recognize them quickly.

Can I simplify √(49x²) as √49 × √x²?

+

Yes! The square root property says ab=ab \sqrt{ab} = \sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} . So 49x2=49x2=7x=7x \sqrt{49x^2} = \sqrt{49} \cdot \sqrt{x^2} = 7 \cdot x = 7x .

What if x is negative?

+

For this problem, we assume x is positive so x2=x \sqrt{x^2} = x . If x could be negative, we'd write x2=x \sqrt{x^2} = |x| (absolute value).

Why do we use exponent rules here?

+

Exponent rules help us understand why this works! Converting 49x2 \sqrt{49x^2} to (49x2)1/2 (49x^2)^{1/2} shows how we can split it into 491/2(x2)1/2 49^{1/2} \cdot (x^2)^{1/2} .

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Rules of Roots questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime

More Questions

Click on any question to see the complete solution with step-by-step explanations