RADICALS AND VARIATION

RADICAL
In mathematics, a radical expression is defined as any
expression containing a radical () symbol. Many people
mistakenly call this a 'square root' symbol, and many times it is
used to determine the square root of a number. It can also be
used to describe a cube root, a fourth root or higher. When the
radical symbol is used to denote any root other than a square
root, there will be a superscript number in the 'V'-shaped part
of the symbol. For example, 3(8) means to find the cube root
of 8. If there is no superscript number, the radical expression is

calling for the square root. The term underneath the radical
symbol is called the radicand.

HISTORY OF THE TERM RADICAL

The terms radical and radicand are both derived from
the Latin word 'radix,' which means 'root'. The reason for this is
that the root is the source of something (like the root of a
word); if you square or cube a number, the number that it came
from is the root, while the number itself (the radicand) grows
from that root. The first usage of these terms was seen in
England in the mid 1600s. They were first used in a book called
An Introduction to Algebra by John Pell.

PROBLEM SOLVING
To solve a problem involving a square root, simply take the
square root of the radicand. The square root of a number is
the number that, when multiplied by itself, or squared is equal
to the radicand.
For example, (25) = 5 because 5 x 5 = 25
If there is a subscript number in front of the radical symbol,
that number tells you how many times a number should be
multiplied by itself to equal the radicand. It is the opposite of an
exponent, just like addition is the opposite of subtraction or
division is the opposite of multiplication.
Back to the example with the cube root of 8, 3(8) = 2 because
2^3 = 8 or 2 x 2 x 2 = 8.
Similarly, 5(243) = 3 because 3^5 = 243 (3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 =
243).

EXAMPLES
1.) Solve (64)

Since 8^2 = 64 the square root of 64 is 8, so the answer

to this problem is 8.
2.) Solve 3(343)
The cube root of 343 is7(7^3=343)

VARIATION
Variation problems involve fairly simple relationships or
formulas, involving one variable being equal to one term. The
most common kinds of variation.
The constant of variation in a direct variation is the
constant (unchanged) ratio of two variable quantities. In
the following equation y varies directly with x, and k is
called the constant of variation:
y=kx
Another form of variation is the inverse variation which
works when there is a relationship between two variables
in which the product is a constant. When one variable
increases the other decreases in proportion so that the
product is unchanged.
If y is inversely proportional to x and k is a constant, the
equation is of the form :
y=kx
When we have a variation where one quantity varies as
the product of two or more other quantities we have what
is called joint variation:
y=kxz

SOLVING DIRECT VARIATION PROBLEMS

Step

Write

the

correct

equation.

Direct

variation

1:

Step
2:
Step
3:
Step
4:

problems are solved using the equation y = kx.

When dealing with word problems, you should
consider using variables other than x and y, you
should use variables that are relevant to the
problem being solved. Also read the problem
carefully to determine if there are any other
changes in the direct variation equation, such as
squares, cubes, or square roots.
Use the information given in the problem to find
the value of k, called the constant of variation or
the constant of proportionality.
Rewrite the equation from step 1 substituting in the
value of k found in step 2.
Use the equation found in step 3 and the remaining
information given in the problem to answer the
question asked. When solving word problems,
remember to include units in your final answer.

EXAMPLE
If x varies directly as y, and x = 9 when y = 6, find x when
y = 15.
Step 1: Write the correct
equation. Direct variation
problems are solved using
the equation y = kx.
Step 2: Use the information
given in the problem to find
the value of k. In this case,
you need to find k when x =
9 and y = 6.
Step 3: Rewrite the equation
from step 1 substituting in
the value of k found in step
2.

Step 4: Use the equation

found in step 3 and the
remaining information given
in the problem to answer
the question asked. In this
case, you need to find x
when y = 15.

SOLVING INVERSE VARIATION PROBLEMS

Step
1:

Write the correct equation. Inverse variation problems are

solved using the equation
. When dealing with word
problems, you should consider using variables other than x
and y, you should use variables that are relevant to the
problem being solved. Also read the problem carefully to
determine if there are any other changes in the inverse
variation equation, such as squares, cubes, or square roots.

Step
2:

Use the information given in the problem to find the value of

k, called the constant of variation or the constant of
proportionality.

Step
3:

Rewrite the equation from step 1 substituting in the value of

k found in step 2.

Step
4:

Use the equation found in step 3 and the remaining

information given in the problem to answer the question
asked. When solving word problems, remember to include
units in your final answer.

EXAMPLES
If x varies inverse as y, and x = 7 when y = 3, find y when x = 9.
Step 1: Write the correct
equation. Inverse variation
problems are solved using the
equation

Step 2: Use the information given

in the problem to find the value
of k. In this case, you need to
find k when x = 7 and y = 3.
Step 3: Rewrite the equation
from step 1 substituting in the

value of k found in step 2.

Step 4: Use the equation found in
step 3 and the remaining
information given in the problem
to answer the question asked. In
this case, you need to find y
when x = 9.

PROBLEM SOLVING OF JOINT VARIATIONS

Step
1:

Step
2:
Step
3:
Step
4:

Write the correct equation. Joint variation problems

are solved using the equation y = kxz. When
dealing with word problems, you should consider
using variables other than x, y, and z, you should
use variables that are relevant to the problem
being solved. Also read the problem carefully to
determine if there are any other changes in the
joint variation equation, such as squares, cubes, or
square roots.
Use the information given in the problem to find
the value of k, called the constant of variation or
the constant of proportionality.
Rewrite the equation from step 1 substituting in the
value of k found in step 2.
Use the equation found in step 3 and the remaining
information given in the problem to answer the
question asked. When solving word problems,
remember to include units in your final answer

EXAMPLE

If y varies jointly as x and z, and y = 12 when x = 9 and z = 3,

find z when y = 6 and x = 15.
Step 1: Write the correct
equation. Joint variation
problems are solved using
the equation y = kxz.

Step 2: Use the information

given in the problem to find
the value of k. In this case,
you need to find k when y =
12, x = 9, and z = 3.
Step 3: Rewrite the equation
from step 1 substituting in
the value of k found in step
2.
Step 4: Use the equation
found in step 3 and the
remaining information given
in the problem to answer
the question asked. In this
case, you need to find z
when y = 6 and x = 15.