SURDS FORM 3

SAMPLE QUESTIONS SECTION 1

Q1 1 2
Simplify  (3mks)
2 1 2 1

SOLUTION 1 - √2 = √2+1- √2(√2-1 )

M1
√2-1 √2+1 (√2-1) (√2+1)
= √2+1 - 4 +√2
M1
2-1
= 2√2-3
A1

Q1 Without using mathematical tables or calculator; evaluate:

(3 marks)
Cos 135o – Sin 30o
Sin 135o + Sin 30o

SOLUTION Cos 135o = - cos (180o – 135o)

= - cos45o = - √2
2
o
Sin 30 = ½
Sin 135o = sin (180o- 135o)
= sin 450
= √2
2
Cos 135 – sin 30o
o

Sin 135o + sin 30o

= - √2 - 1
2 2
√2 + 1
2 2
= -1
Q2 Without using a calculator or mathematical table, express
sin 60 o
(3mks)
1  cos 30 o
In surd form and simplify

SOLUTION 3 1+ 3
2 2
1- 3 1+ 3
2 2
3 + 3 = 3 + 34
4
2 2
1 – 3/2 -½
= - 3 - 3/2
Q3 1 22 5
If   ab c , find the value of a, b and c
3 5 3 5
(3 marks)

SOLUTION   
13 5  2  2 5 3 5  
3  5 3  5 
3 5  6  2 5  6 5  10
95
3 5 4 5  4
4
73 5 7 3 7 3
  5 hence a  , b   and c  5
4 4 4 4 4
Q4 Express the following in surd form and simplify by
rationalizing the denominator.
(3 marks)
1
1−sin 450
SOLUTION
1
1 − sin 450

√2 √2
1 1+
1+
𝑥 2 = 2
2 √2 1 − 2⁄4
1− 1+
√2 2
√2
(1+ 2 )
= 1
2
= 2 + √2

Q5 Rationalize the denominator fully and simplify, leaving

your answer in surd form. (3mks)
2 5

5 3 7 6

SOLUTION 2 5

5 3 7 6
2 5 3
  5 3
5 3 5 3
5 7 6 5 7 5 5
 
7 6 7 6 2
5 7  5 5 2 5 2 3 5 7 5 5
5 3- =
2 2
3 5 2 7 5 5
2
Q6 Simplify
(3mks)
4 - 3
√5 + √2 √5-√2
SOLUTION 4 3
-
5 +  2 5 –2
4(5 -2) - 3(5 +2)
(5 +2) - 3(5 -2) M1

= 4(5 -42) - 3(3 +2)

(3 marks)
2 - 2
(5) (2) M1
= 5 - 72 A1
3

Q7 Simplify the following surds leaving your answer in the

form a + b c
5 2

2 2  5 2 2  5
(3mks)

SOLUTION 5

2
2 2 5 2 2 5

 
52 2 5  2 2 2 5  

2 2 5 2 2 5  
10  5  4  10
=2
85

= 9  10 10
3
=3+ 1/3 10
Q8 3 5
Given that  ab c. Find the values of
2  18 2  18
a, b and c. (3mks)
SOLUTION   
32  3 2  52  3 2 
2  3 2 2  3 2 
6  9 2  10  15 2
4  18
16  6 2
 14


83  3 2 
14
7
a   8  1 1 , b  3
7 7 7
c=2
REVISION SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Q1 Simplify the surd
3√7
−
−2√5
√7 −2 √7+ 2
4mks

Q2 3 5
Given that + = 𝑎 + 𝑏 √𝑐 , find the value of
2− √18 2+√18
a,b and C. 3mks

Q3 Without using mathematical tables rationalize the

√7 +tan 60𝑜
denominator in: 3mks
cos 30𝑜 −sin 45𝑜

Q4 7
Simplify by rationalizing the denominators;
√5+ √2
3mks

Q5 3 4
Simplify the expression - without using
√6− √3 √6 +√3
table or calculator 3mks

Q6 Simplify by rationalizing the denominator;

√2 √3
+
√5 √2
4mks
Q7 Given that 3

2
a b find the value of a and
3 2 2 3 2 3 3 2

b.(3 marks)

Q8 3 2
Simplify:  .
7 2 7 2
(3 marks)

Q9 3 1
Simplify  leaving your answer in the form a+b c
72 7
, where a, b and c are rational numbers

Q10 Simplify the expression √48 leaving your answer

in the 𝑎 √𝑏 + 𝑐 where a,b, and c are integers.
√5 + √3

Q11 Rationalize the denominator leaving your answer in the

form a + b√𝑐 where a, b and c are real numbers.

√3
tan45 + sin60
(3 marks)

Q12 3 1
Simplify  leaving the answer in the form a  b c,
52 5
where a, b and c are rational numbers
(3 marks)
Q13 Without a mathematical table or a calculator, simplify:
Cos300o x Sin120o giving your answer in
Cos330o – Sin 405o rationalized surd form.
Q14 Simplify the following without using tables;
Tan 45 + cos 45sin 60
Q15 Express in surds form and rationalize the denominator.

1
Sin 60 Sin 45o - Sin 45o
o