Free. Exclusive. Just for you.
Four unique services that make learning easier, faster, and smarter - only on our website.

Simplify radical expressions by rationalizing the denominator.

A worksheet with 9 math problems involving simplifying radical expressions by rationalizing the denominator.

A worksheet with 9 math problems involving simplifying radical expressions by rationalizing the denominator.

JPG 593×320 51.3 KB Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #631472
Show Answer Key & Explanations Step-by-step solution for: Microscaffolding - Adventures in Teaching
Let's simplify each radical expression by rationalizing the denominator. Rationalizing means eliminating radicals from the denominator, usually by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator (when it's a binomial with radicals) or by the radical itself (when it's a single radical).

---

13. $\frac{7}{2 - \sqrt{6}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate $2 + \sqrt{6}$:

$$
\frac{7}{2 - \sqrt{6}} \cdot \frac{2 + \sqrt{6}}{2 + \sqrt{6}} = \frac{7(2 + \sqrt{6})}{(2)^2 - (\sqrt{6})^2} = \frac{7(2 + \sqrt{6})}{4 - 6} = \frac{7(2 + \sqrt{6})}{-2}
$$

$$
= -\frac{7(2 + \sqrt{6})}{2} = -\frac{14 + 7\sqrt{6}}{2}
$$

Answer: $-\frac{14 + 7\sqrt{6}}{2}$

---

14. $\frac{5 - \sqrt{3}}{3 + \sqrt{5}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate $3 - \sqrt{5}$:

$$
\frac{5 - \sqrt{3}}{3 + \sqrt{5}} \cdot \frac{3 - \sqrt{5}}{3 - \sqrt{5}} = \frac{(5 - \sqrt{3})(3 - \sqrt{5})}{(3)^2 - (\sqrt{5})^2} = \frac{(5 - \sqrt{3})(3 - \sqrt{5})}{9 - 5} = \frac{(5 - \sqrt{3})(3 - \sqrt{5})}{4}
$$

Now expand the numerator:

$$
(5)(3) = 15,\quad 5(-\sqrt{5}) = -5\sqrt{5},\quad (-\sqrt{3})(3) = -3\sqrt{3},\quad (-\sqrt{3})(-\sqrt{5}) = \sqrt{15}
$$

So numerator: $15 - 5\sqrt{5} - 3\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{15}$

$$
\Rightarrow \frac{15 - 5\sqrt{5} - 3\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{15}}{4}
$$

Answer: $\frac{15 - 5\sqrt{5} - 3\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{15}}{4}$

---

15. $\frac{3\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{3}$ to rationalize:

$$
\frac{3\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{3\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{3}}{3} = \frac{3\sqrt{6}}{3} = \sqrt{6}
$$

Answer: $\sqrt{6}$

---

16. $\frac{5}{2 - \sqrt{5}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate $2 + \sqrt{5}$:

$$
\frac{5}{2 - \sqrt{5}} \cdot \frac{2 + \sqrt{5}}{2 + \sqrt{5}} = \frac{5(2 + \sqrt{5})}{(2)^2 - (\sqrt{5})^2} = \frac{5(2 + \sqrt{5})}{4 - 5} = \frac{5(2 + \sqrt{5})}{-1} = -5(2 + \sqrt{5})
$$

$$
= -10 - 5\sqrt{5}
$$

Answer: $-10 - 5\sqrt{5}$

---

17. $\frac{\sqrt{5}}{6 - \sqrt{5}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate $6 + \sqrt{5}$:

$$
\frac{\sqrt{5}}{6 - \sqrt{5}} \cdot \frac{6 + \sqrt{5}}{6 + \sqrt{5}} = \frac{\sqrt{5}(6 + \sqrt{5})}{(6)^2 - (\sqrt{5})^2} = \frac{6\sqrt{5} + 5}{36 - 5} = \frac{6\sqrt{5} + 5}{31}
$$

Answer: $\frac{5 + 6\sqrt{5}}{31}$

---

18. $\frac{6\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{2}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{2}$:

$$
\frac{6\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{6\sqrt{6}}{2} = 3\sqrt{6}
$$

Answer: $3\sqrt{6}$

---

19. $\frac{8 - \sqrt{2}}{2 - \sqrt{3}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate $2 + \sqrt{3}$:

$$
\frac{8 - \sqrt{2}}{2 - \sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{2 + \sqrt{3}} = \frac{(8 - \sqrt{2})(2 + \sqrt{3})}{(2)^2 - (\sqrt{3})^2} = \frac{(8 - \sqrt{2})(2 + \sqrt{3})}{4 - 3} = (8 - \sqrt{2})(2 + \sqrt{3})
$$

Now expand:

$$
8 \cdot 2 = 16,\quad 8 \cdot \sqrt{3} = 8\sqrt{3},\quad -\sqrt{2} \cdot 2 = -2\sqrt{2},\quad -\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{3} = -\sqrt{6}
$$

So total: $16 + 8\sqrt{3} - 2\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}$

Answer: $16 + 8\sqrt{3} - 2\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}$

---

20. $\frac{8}{\sqrt{5}}$



Multiply numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{5}$:

$$
\frac{8}{\sqrt{5}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{5}}{\sqrt{5}} = \frac{8\sqrt{5}}{5}
$$

Answer: $\frac{8\sqrt{5}}{5}$

---

21. $\frac{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{5}}{\sqrt{5} - \sqrt{2}}$



Notice that the numerator is the negative of the denominator:

$$
\frac{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{5}}{\sqrt{5} - \sqrt{2}} = \frac{-(\sqrt{5} - \sqrt{2})}{\sqrt{5} - \sqrt{2}} = -1
$$

Answer: $-1$

---

Final Answers:



| Problem | Simplified Expression |
|--------|------------------------|
| 13. | $-\frac{14 + 7\sqrt{6}}{2}$ |
| 14. | $\frac{15 - 5\sqrt{5} - 3\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{15}}{4}$ |
| 15. | $\sqrt{6}$ |
| 16. | $-10 - 5\sqrt{5}$ |
| 17. | $\frac{5 + 6\sqrt{5}}{31}$ |
| 18. | $3\sqrt{6}$ |
| 19. | $16 + 8\sqrt{3} - 2\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}$ |
| 20. | $\frac{8\sqrt{5}}{5}$ |
| 21. | $-1$ |

Let me know if you'd like these written in a boxed format or need further explanation!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of rationalizing the denominator worksheet.
Print Download

How to use

Click Print to open a print-ready version directly in your browser, or use Download to save the file to your device. The ⭐ Answer button generates an AI answer key instantly - useful for teachers who need a quick reference. Need a different version? Our AI Worksheet Generator lets you create a custom worksheet on any topic in seconds.

(view all rationalizing the denominator worksheet)

Worksheet: Rationalizing the Denominator | Algebra Printable
Rationalise the Denominator - GCSE - Steps, Examples & Worksheet
Rationalising the denominator – Variation Theory
Rationalise the Denominator (examples, videos, worksheets ...
Rationalising the denominator – Variation Theory
Rationalize Denominator Worksheet
Rationalize the Denominator: Complete with ease | airSlate SignNow
Rationalising the Denominator Differentiated Worksheet | Teaching ...
Free Printable Rationalizing the Denominator Worksheets
Rationalizing Denominators Worksheet Worksheet