# what is surd form?

in maths

Relevance

It is the simplified form a√b

For example √32 = √16 * √2 = 4√2

4√2 is "surd" form.

• 4 years ago

Surd Form

• tobias
Lv 4
4 years ago

Surd Definition

• Nick J
Lv 4

Some numbers involving roots, such as √2, √3, cannot be expressed exactly in the form of a fraction. Any

number of the form n√a, which cannot be written as a fraction of two integers is called a surd.

Whilst numbers like √2 have decimal approximations which can be obtained using a calculator,

e.g √2 = 1.414 . . . , you must remember that these are approximations, whereas the form √2 is exact.

So, writing a number in surd form involves writing it in terms which are exact, such as √2 or √3

Example: write √48 in surd form

48 = 3*16

so √48 = √3 * √16

= √3 * 4

or, as it's usually written 4 √3

So, reduce the square root down into simpler terms called surds.

• 4 years ago

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avQTV

Surd form is √32 Index form is 32^(1/2)

• 4 years ago

I don't think you are supposed to use a CALCULATOR when the answer is required to be left in SURD form, or in terms of Pi. The object of those types of questions is to see if you know HOW to do the calculation. Mathematics is about knowing how to, not necessarily actually doing it. It's about the methods.