Simplifying Radicals Geometrically

This activity is designed to give students an understanding of how the simplest form of radicals is grounded in geometry. There is much emphasis on geometry in the coordinate plane. The goal is for students to understand how to simplify radicals by picturing squares and their side lengths. Based on Henri Picciotto's Geometry Labs activities 9.3 and 9.4.

By Liz Caffrey