What you need to know
Check yourself against these “I can” statements.
- I can explain the difference between rational and irrational numbers
- I can simplify a surd, like √50 = 5√2
- I can rationalise the denominator of a fraction, like 3/√2
- I can solve problems using surds and give exact answers
Practise this topic
3 resourcesOperations with Surds
Simplifying, adding, multiplying and squaring surds, expanding brackets, rationalising denominators (a√b and a + b√c), dividing surds, adding and dividing surd fractions, and writing expressions in the form k√n. Fourteen…
⬢ BlockbustersOperations with Surds Blockbusters
Blockbusters with the questions from the Operations with Surds worksheet: choose its levels for the ordinary hexagons and for the harder ★ ones. Show the answer and the worked solution, or play against the computer with multiple…
🧩 ConnectionsSurds
Match surds with the same value, from √50 and 5√2 to √2 × √25 and 10/√2. Near-misses like 5√2, 2√5 and √10 from Standard; rationalising on Hard.
These are the pages for Surds in the GCSE scheme of work, following Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Mathematics, Higher tier (1MA1). Open this topic in Mr Wells Maths to see it alongside the rest of the course.