Question

Identify two key differences between the procedures for multiplying radicals and the procedures for adding or subtracting them.

Answer 1

Here are two key differences between the procedures for multiplying radicals and for adding or subtracting them:

1. **Combining Terms vs. Multiplying Terms**:
- **Adding/Subtracting Radicals**: When adding or subtracting radicals, the terms must be like radicals (i.e., they must have the same radicand). For example, \(\sqrt{2} + 3\sqrt{2} = 4\sqrt{2}\), while \(\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3}\) cannot be simplified further because the radicands are different.
- **Multiplying Radicals**: When multiplying radicals, you can multiply them regardless of whether the radicands are the same. For instance, \(\sqrt{2} \times \sqrt{3} = \sqrt{6}\).

2. **Simplifying Outcomes**:
- **Adding/Subtracting Radicals**: The focus is primarily on finding common terms (like terms) and simplifying the expression as much as possible based on those common terms.
- **Multiplying Radicals**: The process often involves applying the property \(\sqrt{a} \times \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab}\), and simplification often involves factoring the radicand to pull out any perfect squares. For example, \(\sqrt{8} = \sqrt{4 \times 2} = 2\sqrt{2}\).

In summary, adding and subtracting radicals requires like terms, while multiplying does not, and the simplification processes differ significantly as well.