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Syllabus/Passport to Advanced Math
04SAT Math

Radical & Rational Equations

Radical & Rational Equations

Radical Equations

1. Isolate the radical

2. Square both sides (or cube for cube roots)

3. Solve the resulting equation

4. Check for extraneous solutions!

Rational Equations

1. Find the LCD

2. Multiply all terms by LCD

3. Solve the resulting equation

4. Check that solutions don't make any denominator zero!

Exponent Rules

xᵃ · xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ | xᵃ/xᵇ = xᵃ⁻ᵇ | (xᵃ)ᵇ = xᵃᵇ | x⁻ⁿ = 1/xⁿ | x^(a/b) = ᵇ√(xᵃ)

SAT Focus

  • Simplifying expressions with exponents
  • Solving equations by isolating the radical/fraction
  • Always check for extraneous solutions
  • Radical & Rational Equations | SAT Math Prep