Like radicals are expressions that have the same variable raised to the same power, accompanied by a numerical coefficient. In simpler terms, they are terms in an algebraic expression that share the same base variable and exponent, making them combinable.
For example, in the expression 3√2 + 5√2, both terms are like radicals because they contain the same radical part (√2). You can combine these terms by adding their coefficients: (3 + 5)√2 = 8√2. On the other hand, if you consider the terms 3√2 and 4√3, these are not like radicals and cannot be combined, as they involve different radical parts (√2 and √3).
Understanding like radicals is crucial when simplifying algebraic expressions, particularly in operations involving addition or subtraction. When you encounter radicals, always check if they are like radicals before attempting to combine them.