Algebra and General Mathematics: Surds

SURDS

Surds is a numerical expression containing an irrational number.

Pure Surds – one which has one factor as a unit and the other factor as an irrational number.

Example:

{ √3, ³√7, … }

Mixed Surds – one which comprises of rational and irrational numbers.

Example:

{ 4 + √5, 3 + ³√6, 2 - √3, … }

TYPES OF SURDS

A surd maybe quadratic, cubic, quartic and so on … depending upon the powers involved.

1. Quadratic surd          :      √5 or 5^1/2

2. Cubic surd          :      ³√5 or 5^1/3

3. Quartic surd          :      ⁴√5 or 5^1/4

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