Lesson 6: Principal Roots of Rational Numbers and Irrational Numbers

In case you find it difficult to answer the activities in this module, don’t hesitate to consult your teacher or
assigned facilitator. You can also ask help from your mother or father, or anyone who is older than you at home.
Remember that you are not alone in this new normal education.

We are hoping that through this module, you will experience a meaningful learning and you will get a
deeper understanding about the competencies. You can do it!

This module was written for you to accomplish at home. It was carefully designed so that you can work at
your own pace and allow self-discovery of the concept through activities that you will perform. Activities were also
selected to allow independent learning which also aims to develop students’ reading comprehension skills through
understanding written texts.

Quarter / Week Topic Competencies Objectives

Quarter 1/ Week 6  The nth Root of a  Describe principal roots At the end of this topic, students will
Number and tell whether they are be able to:
 The Nature of rational or irrational.
Principal Root (M7NS-Ig-1)  Find the nth root of a number;
 Principal Root of  Describe the nature of principal
Rational Numbers root;
 Principal Root of  Determine the principal root of
Irrational Numbers rational numbers; and
 Determine the principal root of
irrational numbers.

Let’s Review
In your previous lesson, you have learned about rational numbers. So, before we discuss a new lesson,
answer first the given activity in a separate sheet of paper.

Activity 1: Decode Me!

Direction:
1. Below are numbers in fraction form.
2. refer to the box of answers on the right, to find its decimal form.
3. write the corresponding letter of each item on the underlined spaces at the bottom to decode the hidden
word.
4. Copy and answer the given in a separate sheet of paper. The first is done for you.

Fraction Form Decimal Form Pick Your Answers Here!

1. 1 = 0.25 0.43 - V
4 0.75 - D
2. 2 =
0.25 - C
5
0.5 - A
3. 3 =
7 0.83 - I
4. 5 = 0.4 - O
6
HIDDEN WORD
5. 9 =
12 ____C___ ______
________ ________ _________
1 2 3 4 5

Let’s Explore
“Pi Day” was realized last March 14, 2015 (which was chosen because it resembles 3.14). The official
celebration starts at 1:59 p.m., in order to make it appropriate 3.14159 when combined with the date. Albert
Einstein was born on Pi Day (3/14/1879) in Ulm Wurttemberg, Germany.

 What is rational? Irrational?

 By just looking at the givens, can you identify if it is rational or irrational? How?

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  From the given activity above, were you able to decode the hidden word correctly?

Let’s Dig
The activity you have performed gives you an idea on how to find n th root of a number. Let us now discuss
further about finding nth root using the table below.

THINK OF THIS! Example 1 Example 2

 Subtracting a Subtraction 7–3=4 9–5=4
number is the
opposite of Addition 4+3=7 4+5=9
adding that
number.
 Dividing by a Division 8÷4=2 12 ÷ 3 = 4
nonzero
number is the Multiplication 4x2=8 4 x 3 = 12
opposite of
multiplying by
that number.
 The opposite of Squaring a Number (+5)2= 5 • 5= 25 or
squaring a (-5)2 = -5 • -5 = 25
number is Finding Square Root 2 2
√ 25= −5 ∨ √ 5 = -5 or +5
finding a square
√
*This is read as “The square roots of 25 are negative
root.
5 and positive 5.”
 Power A combination of base and exponent
Two Parts of Power
Base Exponent

52 Power
Term Definition Example 1 Example 2
 Exponent A number written on the
upper right side of a (3)(3) (2)(2)(2)
number that tells how can be written as 32 or “3 can be written as 23 or “2
many times, the number squared” cubed”
is to be multiplied by
itself
 Base A number that is raised by the 32 23
exponent 3 is the base and the 2 is the base and the
exponent is 2. exponent is 3.
Reading Powers
Power Meaning Verbal Description
(6)2 (6) (6) 6 to the second power or 6 squared
(7)3 (7) (7) (7) 7 to the third power or 7 cubed
(8)4 (8) (8) (8) (8) 8 to the fourth power
 Perfect Square numbers which are (3)2 = 3 x 3 = 9 (0.4)2 = 0.4x 0.4=0.16
the result of Thus, 9 is a perfect Thus, 0.16 is a
squaring a certain square. perfect square.
number
 Square Root a number whose If 32 = 9, then square root If (-3)2 = 9, then square
square is the given of 9 is 3 or √ 9 = 3. root of 9 is -3 or √ 9 = -3.
number
In symbols, if 𝑎2 = b, Therefore, √ 9 = 3 and -3.in addition, 9 have two roots
the number a is
the positive root which is 3 and the negative root, -3.
called a square
root of b.
Important Parts to Remember of a Radical Expression
Index Radical Sign
√n a=b
Radicand Root

Radical Expression
- An expression containing an nth root of a number, where n is the index of the root. A root having an
3
index of 2 is called a square root (√ ❑∨ √2
❑) and a root having index of 3 is a cube root√ ❑ .

 Index

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 - The basis to determine how many times the number will be multiplied by itself which result
into the number within the radical sign.
 Radical Sign (√ ❑ ¿
- A symbol that represents a radical expression.

 Radicand
- A number inside the radical sign.

 Root
- the result of extracting a radical expression
How to find the nth Root of a Number
th
To find the n root of a number, please follow the Example 1 Example 2
steps below. Given: Given:
3
Find the √ 7 396. Find the √ 4 096.
(1) Identify the index of the given radical expression to Step 1: Step 1:
know how many times the unknown number/s will be Given: Given:
multiplied by itself which will result into the number √ 7 396 √3 4 096
within the radical sign. Since the given index is Since the given index is
2, then the unknown 3, then the unknown
Note: The unknown number is the root of the given number will be multiplied number will be multiplied
radical expression. twice by itself to get the thrice by itself to get the
result of 7 396. result of 4 096.
(2) Show some possible solutions in multiplying Step 2: Step 2:
numbers by itself, based on the given index, until
you arrived into the correct radicand. Possible solutions: Possible solutions:
a. (85) (85) or (85)2 a. (17) (17) (17)
Note: Do the trial and error method, a method = 7 225 or (17)3
wherein you are going to look at possible solutions b. (86) (86) or (86)2 = 4 913
until you arrive into the exact answer. = 7 396 b. (16) (16) (16)
or (16)3
* As you can observe, = 4 096
when 85 is multiplied by
itself twice, the result is *As you can observe,
less than our given when 17 is multiplied by
radicand that is why we itself thrice, the result is
proceed to multiply the greater than our given
next possible number radicand. Thus, we need
which is 86. to go back with the
Since the result of (86) previous number before
(86) is the exact radicand 17 to do some
of our given then we will multiplication. Since (16)
end up or solutions in 86. (16) (16) got the exact
radicand of our given
then we will end up or
solutions in 16.
(3) Multiply the opposite sign of the unknown number Step 3: Step 3:
in step 2 to check whether it can also get the same Solutions: Solutions:
radicand or not. (-16) (-16) (-16)
(-86) (-86) or (-86)2 or (-16)3
= 7 396 = - 4 096

*The result in Step 2 *The result in Step 2 is

is the same in step 3 the not the same in step
even if the signs of the 3, since the product in
unknown number are step 2 is positive while in
different. step 3, it is negative.
(4) Finalize the answer. Step 4. Step 4.
Since 86 and -86 get the Since 16 and -16 did not
correct radicand of the get the correct radicand
given, then, the square of the given, then, the
roots of 7 396 are 86 and cube root 4 096 is only
-86. 16.

Can be written as: Can be written as:

√ 7 396.= 86 and -86 √3 4 096= 16

Or

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 √ 7 396.= ±86
Remember:
If the radical expression contains 4 as the index and up, just follow the steps above to find the n th root of a
number.

Lesson 6.2: The Nature of Principal Root

Principal Root is a root which, when raised to the power of n, yields the radicand of its n th degree radical.
It has three natures. Study the table below.

The Nature of Principal Example Symbol Principal

Root Root
a. If the radicand is a The square roots of 81 √ 81 = +9 and -9
positive number, then, the are +9 and -9.
principal root is the Positive root +9
positive nth root. Positive

can be written as:

√ 81=± 9
b. If n is odd, and the The cube root of -8 is -2. √3 −64=−4
radicand is negative, the
principal root is the -4
negative nth root.
radicand is negative

c. If n is even, and the The fourth root of-16 is

radicand is negative, the undefined.
√4 −64 = undefined
principal root is
undefined. Undefined
Radicand is negative
 Undefined
- an expression which
does not have meaning
and so not assigned an
interpretation

Lesson 6.3: Principal Root of Rational Numbers

Principal Root can be determined whether it is rational or irrational number. So, let us now discuss on
how to determine the principal root of a rational numbers.
Term Definition
 Rational Number a
number that can be expressed in a form
b
,
where a and b are integers, and b ≠ 0
Forms of Rational Numbers Examples
(a) In Decimal Form 0.4, 4.84, 0.125 Terminating Decimals

0.33..., 0.123... Repeating Decimals

Interpretation:
Terminating and repeating decimals are numbers
a
that can be expressed in a form
b
. Thus, these are
considered as rational numbers.
(b) In Fraction Form 4 1 4 1 5
, , , ,
100 8 5 6 9
(c) Radical Form 81 3

Remember This!
√ 361 ,
√144
, √ −1 331
Examples
To understand that a principal root is a rational
number, determine if the radicand is a 3
perfect nth power of a number. √3 27= √ 3 3=3

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 Thus, the principal root of
9 2 32 3
√3 27 is rational. √ √
2
25
= 2=
5 5
Thus, the principal root of
9
√
2

25
is rational.

Lesson 6. 4: Principal Root of Irrational Numbers

Aside from rational number, we also need to determine the principal root of not rational numbers
which is referred to in Mathematics as irrational number. Study and learn from the table below.

Term Definition
 Irrational Number a
any number that cannot be expressed in the form ,
b
where a and b ≠ 0

Note: Irrational number is known as the nonrepeating

and non-terminating number that is why it has to be
estimated up to four decimals.
Form of Irrational Numbers Examples

(a) Radical Form √ 2 , √ 3 , √3 10

Remember This! Examples
To understand if a principal root is an irrational
number, determine if the radicand is not a perfect 2
√2 2=√ 21 1.4142
2
√2 3= √ 31 1.7320
nth power of a number.
Since the radicand is the principal root of √ 3
th
not a perfect n power is irrational.
then, the principal root
of √ 2 is irrational.
Note: Estimation on irrational numbers will be
discussed further in the next module. The values
of √ 2and √ 3 are only given to show that the two
examples are non-terminating.

Let’s Do It

Activity 2: Complete Me!

Direction: 1. Observe the statements below.
2. Fill in the blank with the correct word/s to complete the paragraph below.
3. Copy the given statement and write the answer on a separate sheet of paper.

The (1)____________ of a positive radicand is the positive nth root. If the radicand is negative and n is
odd, then the principal root is (2)__________________ but if n is even, then the principal root is
(3)
_________________. Furthermore, if the radicand is a perfect nth power of a number, then the
principal root is (4)____________. If it is not, then the principal root is (5)________________.

Let’s Evaluate
Activity 3: Fill Me!
Direction:
1. Observe each of the given radical expression.
2. Think of a number that should be placed inside the box to make the equation TRUE.
3. Copy the problem and write your answer in a separate sheet of paper. The first is done for you.

67
a. √ 4 489= −67 c. √3 −1728 =

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b. √ 1764=¿ d. √4 2 401 =

Activity 4: Match Me!

Direction:
1. Observe the given radical expressions in column A.
2. Choose the corresponding principal root of each item in column A from column B.
3. Copy and write the answer on a separate sheet of paper. Number one is done for you.

Column A Column B
1. √ 484 A. +4
2. √ 64 B. +22
3. √3 −216 C. Undefined
4. √4 256 D. - 3
5. √ 16 E. – 6
6. √3 −27 F. +8
G. -8

Activity 5: What Am I?
Direction:
1. Consider the radical expressions below.
2. Determine its principal root if it is Rational or Not Rational.
3. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

Radical Expressions Classification

1. √ 175 = _____________________
3
2. √ 215 = _____________________
4
3. √ 1296 = _____________________
3
4.√ 16 = _____________________
5. √ 675 = _____________________

Activity 6: Tell Me!

Direction:
1. Observe the given radical expressions below.
2. Classify whether the principal root of each number is rational or irrational. If it is rational give its
principal root, otherwise put not rational.
3. Copy the given statement and write the answer on a separate sheet of paper. The first one is
done for you.

Classification Principal Root

1. √ 2.56 = __rational___ = _______1.6________

2. √ 37 = ___________ = ______________
3. √3 −24 = ___________ = ______________
4. √3 −729 = ___________ = ______________
5. √ 0.06 = ___________ = ______________
6. √ 0.64 = ___________ = ______________
7. √3 125 = ___________ = ______________
8. √4 90 = ___________ = ______________
9. √5 1 024 = ___________ = ______________
10. √ 0.1 = ___________ = ______________

Self-check
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Reflect and Rate Yourself!

Put a check mark ( ) on the column that shows your efficiency in answering the activities in
this lesson.

Rubrics:
3 - I understand and I am confident that I can teach this to others.
2 - I understand, but I cannot do it by myself.
1 - I understand some parts, but I still have questions.
0 - I don’t understand it at all! I need new activities or tasks.

Topic 3 2 1 0
Rewriting Linear Equations

Graphs linear equation given:

a. any two points
b. the x and y – intercepts
c. the slope and a point on
the line
Relations and Functions (Graph of
a Line)

R efer en ces

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

Adapted from Mathematics Learner’s Module 7.

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