Examples with solutions for Product Property of Square Roots: Identify the greater value

Exercise #1

Choose the largest value

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine which of the suggested options has the largest numerical value, we will use the definition of root as a power:

an=a1n \sqrt[n]{a}=a^{\frac{1}{n}} Let's substitute each one of the square roots in the suggested options with powers:

2212331244125512 \sqrt{2}\rightarrow2^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{3}\rightarrow3^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{4}\rightarrow4^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{5}\rightarrow5^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Now let's note that all the expressions we got have the same exponent (and their bases are positive, we'll also mention, although it's obvious), therefore we can determine the trend between them using only the trend between their bases, since it's identical to it:

5>4>3>2\hspace{4pt} (>0)\\ \downarrow\\ 5^{\frac{1}{2}}>4^{\frac{1}{2}} >3^{\frac{1}{2}}>2^{\frac{1}{2}} In other words, we got that:

\sqrt{5}>\sqrt{4}>\sqrt{3}>\sqrt{2} Therefore the correct answer is answer D.

Answer

5 \sqrt{5}

Exercise #2

Select the largest value from among the given options:

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to determine which of the suggested options has the largest numerical value, we will apply two laws of exponents:

a. Definition of root as an exponent:

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

b. Law of exponents for exponents in parentheses (in reverse direction):

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

Let's proceed to examine the options a and c (in the answers), starting by converting the square root to exponent notation, using the law of exponents mentioned in a earlier:

2321231216112612 \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{3} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{1}\cdot\sqrt{6} \rightarrow 1^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot6^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Due to the fact that both terms in the multiplication have the same exponent, we are able to apply the law of exponents mentioned in b to combine them inside of parentheses, which are subsequently raised to the same exponent. Once completed proceed to calculate the result of the multiplication inside of the parentheses:

212312(23)12=612112612(16)12=612 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (2\cdot3)^{\frac{1}{2}}=6^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 1^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot6^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(1\cdot6)^{\frac{1}{2}}=6^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ In the next step, we will return to root notation, again, using the law of exponents mentioned in a (in reverse direction):

6126 6^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow\sqrt{6} \\ We can deduce that the numerical values of options a, b, and c are equal, as seen below:

23212312=612=616112612=612=6 \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{3} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}}=6^{\frac{1}{2}}=\sqrt{6}\\ \sqrt{1}\cdot\sqrt{6} \rightarrow 1^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot6^{\frac{1}{2}}=6^{\frac{1}{2}}=\sqrt{6}\\ Therefore, we need to determine which of these expressions:

6,9 \sqrt{6}, \hspace{6pt}\sqrt{9} has a higher numerical value,

This can be achieved by converting these two values to exponent notation, again, using the law of exponents mentioned in a:

66129912 \sqrt{6}\rightarrow6^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{9}\rightarrow9^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Note that these two expressions have the same exponent (and their bases are positive), Therefore we can determine their relationship by simply comparing their bases, since it will be identical:

9>6\hspace{4pt} (>0)\\ \downarrow\\ 9^{\frac{1}{2}}>6^{\frac{1}{2}} In other words, we got that:

\sqrt{9}>\sqrt{6}

Therefore, the correct answer is answer d.

Answer

9 \sqrt{9}

Exercise #3

Mark the appropriate sign:

32+1010 ___ 23+520:5 3^2+\sqrt{10}\cdot\sqrt{10}\text{ }_{\textcolor{red}{\_\_\_}\text{ }}2^3+\sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{20}:5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We want to calculate each of the expressions separately, however - in order to do this more efficiently, we will first deal with the multiplication terms between the roots in both expressions separately:

a. Let's start with the left expression, the multiplication of roots in this expression is:

1010 \sqrt{10}\cdot\sqrt{10}

We'll apply the laws of exponents in order to simplify this expression, noting that the expression is actually multiplying the number by itself and therefore can be written as a term to the second power:

1010=(10)2 \sqrt{10}\cdot\sqrt{10}=(\sqrt{10})^2

Now let's recall the definition of root as a power:

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

And the law of exponents for power to power:

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

Let's apply these two laws and calculate the value of the above expression:

(10)2=(1012)2=10122=101=10 (\sqrt{10})^2 =(10^{\frac{1}{2}})^2=10^{\frac{1}{2}\cdot2}=10^1=10

Where in the first step we converted the root in parentheses to a half power using the definition of root as a power mentioned earlier, and in the next step we applied the law of power to power that was also mentioned earlier, then we simplified the expression.

b. Let's continue to the multiplication of roots in the right expression:

520 \sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{20}

In addition to the definition of root as a power mentioned earlier, let's also recall the law of exponents for powers in parentheses where terms are multiplied but in the opposite direction:

xnyn=(xy)n x^n\cdot y^n=(x\cdot y)^n

The literal interpretation of this law in the direction given here is that a multiplication between two terms with equal power exponents can be written as a multiplication between the bases in parentheses raised to that same power,

Let's return to the expression in question and apply both laws of exponents mentioned:

520=5122012=(520)12 \sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{20} =5^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot20^{\frac{1}{2}}=(5\cdot20)^{\frac{1}{2}}

Where in the first step we converted the roots to half powers using the definition of root as a power, and in the next step we applied the last mentioned law of exponents in its specified direction, since both terms in the multiplication here have the same power,

Let's continue and simplify the expression we got:

(520)12=10012=100=10 (5\cdot20)^{\frac{1}{2}} =100^{\frac{1}{2}}=\sqrt{100}=10

Where in the first step we calculated the value of the multiplication in parentheses, in the next step we returned to writing roots using the definition of root as power, but in the opposite direction, in the final step we calculated the numerical value of the root,

Let's summarize a and b above, we got that:

1010=(10)2=10 \sqrt{10}\cdot\sqrt{10}=(\sqrt{10})^2 =10 and

520=(520)12=100=10 \sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{20} =(5\cdot20)^{\frac{1}{2}} =\sqrt{100}=10 ,

Let's return to the original problem and use this information:

32+1010  23+520:532+10  23+10:5 3^2+\sqrt{10}\cdot\sqrt{10}\text{ }_{\textcolor{red}{—}\text{ }}2^3+\sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{20}:5 \\ \downarrow\\ 3^2+10\text{ }_{\textcolor{red}{—}\text{ }}2^3+10:5

Let's continue and handle both expressions together, in the left expression we'll first calculate the value of the term in the power and then the result of the addition,

And in the right expression we'll first calculate the result of the term in the power and the result of the division operation and add between the results:

32+10  23+10:59+10  8+219  10 3^2+10\text{ }_{\textcolor{red}{—}\text{ }}2^3+10:5 \\ \downarrow\\ 9+10\text{ }_{\textcolor{red}{—}\text{ }}8+2 \\ \downarrow\\ 19\text{ }_{\textcolor{red}{—}\text{ }}10

Therefore the left expression gives a higher result, meaning the trend between the expressions is:

19>10

Therefore the correct answer is answer B.

Answer

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Exercise #4

Which of the following options represents the largest value:

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to determine which of the following options has the largest numerical value, we will apply two 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 (in reverse order):

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

Let's start by converting the square root in each of the suggested options (except D) to exponential notation, using the law of exponents mentioned in a above:

36136121126661261294912412 \sqrt{36}\cdot\sqrt{1} \rightarrow 36^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot1^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{6}\cdot\sqrt{6} \rightarrow 6^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot6^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{9}\cdot\sqrt{4} \rightarrow 9^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot4^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Given that both terms in the multiplication have the same exponent, we can use the law of exponents mentioned in b above and combine them together in the multiplication within parentheses , which are subsequently raised to the same exponent:

3612112(361)12=3612612612(66)12=3612912412(94)12=3612 36^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot1^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (36\cdot1)^{\frac{1}{2}}=36^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 6^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot6^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(6\cdot6)^{\frac{1}{2}}=36^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 9^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot4^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (9\cdot4)^{\frac{1}{2}}=36^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ Let's summarize what we've done so far, as shown below:

361=361266=361294=3612 \sqrt{36}\cdot\sqrt{1}=36^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{6}\cdot\sqrt{6}= 36^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{9}\cdot\sqrt{4}= 36^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Note that the values of all expressions suggested in options A-C are equal to one another.

Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Answer

All answers have the same value

Exercise #5

Determine the largest value from among the given options:

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to determine which of the suggested options has the largest numerical value, we will apply the following root law:

amn=amn=(an)m \sqrt[\textcolor{blue}{n}]{a^{\textcolor{red}{m}}}=a^{\frac{\textcolor{red}{m}}{\textcolor{blue}{n}}} =(\sqrt[\textcolor{blue}{n}]{a})^{\textcolor{red}{m}}

Let's start by applying this law to each of the suggested options (and remember that a square root is a second-order root - which we don't explicitly write next to the root), meaning - we will convert the roots to exponential notation, then we'll use the (known) root of the number 25:

252=2522=(25)2=5225=251=2512=(25)1=51253=2532=(25)3=53254=2542=(25)4=54 \sqrt{25^{\textcolor{red}{2}}}=25^{\frac{\textcolor{red}{2}}{\textcolor{blue}{2}}}=(\sqrt{25})^{\textcolor{red}{2}}=5^2 \\ \sqrt{25}=\sqrt{25^{\textcolor{red}{1}}}=25^{\frac{\textcolor{red}{1}}{\textcolor{blue}{2}}}=(\sqrt{25})^{\textcolor{red}{1}}=5^1 \\ \sqrt{25^{\textcolor{red}{3}}}=25^{\frac{\textcolor{red}{3}}{\textcolor{blue}{2}}}=(\sqrt{25})^{\textcolor{red}{3}}=5^3 \\ \sqrt{25^{\textcolor{red}{4}}}=25^{\frac{\textcolor{red}{4}}{\textcolor{blue}{2}}}=(\sqrt{25})^{\textcolor{red}{4}}=5^4 \\ We obtained four options which are all powers of the same base (5), since this base is greater than 1, the largest option will be the one where the base (5) is raised to the highest power (and the opposite if the base is between 0 and 1, then as the power increases the value of the number - meaning the base raised to that power - decreases),

Therefore:

5^4>5^3>5^2>5^1

Thus answer D is the correct answer.

Answer

254 \sqrt{25^4}

Exercise #6

Select the largest value among the given options:

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to determine which of the following options has the largest numerical value, we will apply two laws of exponents:

a. Definition of root as an exponent:

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

b. Law of exponents for exponents in parentheses (in reverse order):

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

Let's start by converting the fourth root in each of the suggested options to exponent notation, using the law of exponents mentioned in a above:

21212112222122122321231224212412 \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{1} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot1^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{2} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot2^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{3} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{4} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot4^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Due to the fact that both terms in the multiplication have the same exponent, we are able to apply the law of exponents mentioned in b above and combine them together in the multiplication within parentheses, whilst raised to the same exponent. Once completed we can then calculate the result of the multiplication inside of the parentheses:

212212(21)12=212212212(22)12=412212312(23)12=612212412(24)12=812 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot2^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (2\cdot1)^{\frac{1}{2}}=2^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot2^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(2\cdot2)^{\frac{1}{2}}=4^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (2\cdot3)^{\frac{1}{2}}=6^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot4^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(2\cdot4)^{\frac{1}{2}}=8^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ Let's summarize what we've done so far, as shown below:

21=21222=41223=61224=812 \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{1}=2^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{2}= 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{3}= 6^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{4}= 8^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Now let's note that all the expressions we obtained have the same exponent (they're bases are also positive), therefore we can determine the trend between them using only the trend between their bases, since it's identical to it:

8>6>4>2\hspace{4pt} (>0)\\ \downarrow\\ 8^{\frac{1}{2}}>6^{\frac{1}{2}} >4^{\frac{1}{2}}>2^{\frac{1}{2}}

Therefore the correct answer is answer d.

Answer

24 \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{4}

Exercise #7

Determine which of the following answer is representative of the largest value:

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to determine which of the given options has the largest numerical value, apply two laws of exponents:

a. Definition of root as an exponent:

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

b. Law of exponents for exponents applied to expressions in parentheses (in reverse direction):

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

Let's begin by examining options a and b (in the answers)

Convert the square root to exponent notation, using the law of exponents mentioned in a earlier:

4941291241412112 \sqrt{4}\cdot\sqrt{9} \rightarrow 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot9^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{4}\cdot\sqrt{1} \rightarrow 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot1^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Due to the fact that both terms in the multiplication have the same exponent, we can use the law of exponents mentioned in b earlier proceed to combine them together in a multiplication operation within parentheses, whilst raised to the same exponent . Once completed calculate the result of the multiplication inside of the parentheses:

412912(49)12=3612412112(41)12=412 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot9^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (4\cdot9)^{\frac{1}{2}}=36^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot1^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(4\cdot1)^{\frac{1}{2}}=4^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ In the next step, return to root notation, again, using the law of exponents mentioned in a (in reverse direction) and then apply the (known) roots of the numbers that will be obtained in the root:

361236=64124=2 36^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow\sqrt{36}=6 \\ 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow\sqrt{4}=2 \\ We have thus found that the number in option a is larger given that:

6>2

Additionally, we can deduce that the numerical values of options a and c are equal.

Therefore, the correct answer is answer d.

Answer

Answers a and c

Exercise #8

Determine which of the following options has the greatest numerical value:

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to determine which of the suggested options has the largest numerical value, apply the 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 a product in parentheses (in reverse order):

anbn=(ab)n a^n\cdot b^n=(a\cdot b)^n c. Law of exponents for an exponent raised to an exponent:

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

Let's deal with each of the suggested options (in the answers), starting by converting the square root to exponent notation, using the law of exponents mentioned in a' earlier:

55512512222122123331231244412412 \sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{5} \rightarrow 5^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot5^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{2} \rightarrow 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot2^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{3}\cdot\sqrt{3} \rightarrow 3^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ \sqrt{4}\cdot\sqrt{4} \rightarrow 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot4^{\frac{1}{2}}\\ Due to the fact that both terms in the product have the same exponent, we are able to apply the law of exponents mentioned in b' earlier and then proceed to combine them together inside of the parentheses product, raised to the same exponent . Once completed we can then calculate the result of the product in the parentheses:

512512(55)12=(52)12212212(22)12=(22)12312312(33)12=(32)12412412(44)12=(42)12 5^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot5^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (5\cdot5)^{\frac{1}{2}}=(5^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 2^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot2^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(2\cdot2)^{\frac{1}{2}}=(2^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 3^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot3^{\frac{1}{2}} \rightarrow (3\cdot3)^{\frac{1}{2}}=(3^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ 4^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot4^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow(4\cdot4)^{\frac{1}{2}}=(4^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \\ Proceed to apply the law of exponents mentioned in c' and then calculate the exponent inside of the parentheses:

(52)125212=51=5(22)122212=21=2(42)124212=41=4(32)123212=31=3 (5^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow 5^{2\cdot \frac{1}{2}}=5^1=5 \\ (2^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow 2^{2\cdot \frac{1}{2}}=2^1=2 \\ (4^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow 4^{2\cdot \frac{1}{2}}=4^1=4 \\ (3^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}\rightarrow 3^{2\cdot \frac{1}{2}}=3^1=3 \\

We have determined that the number in option a' is representative of the largest value:

5>4>3>2 The correct answer is a'.

Answer

55 \sqrt{5}\cdot\sqrt{5}