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 + AQA Further Maths scheme of work, following Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Higher (1MA1), plus AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics (8365). Open this topic in Mr Wells Maths to see it alongside the rest of the course.