Lesson 3: Adding & Subtracting Radicals
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
Students will add and subtract radical expressions with like radicands.
• When can we add or subtract radicals?
• What are like radicals?
• How is this similar to combining like terms?
• What do we do if radicands are different?
Like radicals, unlike radicals, combine, simplify, radicand
CCSS.MATH.9.A.SSE.A.2
Description: Students learn that only like radicals (same radicand) can be added or subtracted, similar to combining like terms. They may need to simplify radicals first to identify like radicals. Purpose: To develop procedural fluency in radical operations and reinforce the concept of like terms. DOK Level: 2 (Application)
• Color-coding: Use same color for like radicals
• For struggling learners: Add/subtract radicals that are already in simplified form and like
• For advanced learners: Simplify first, then add/subtract
• Anchor chart: Display like radicals examples
• Observation: Can students identify like radicals?
• Worksheet: Add/subtract 6 radical expressions
• Simplify-first task: Simplify, then add/subtract
• Check-your-work: Verify using decimal approximations
• Like radicals sorting activity
• Addition/subtraction practice worksheets
• Simplification-first practice
• Anchor chart for like radicals
• Resource: Khan Academy "Adding & Subtracting Radicals" (adapted)