Adding radicals doesn't have to be scary! Think of it like combining like terms with variables. The secret? **You can only add radicals that have the same index (the small number outside the radical sign) AND the same radicand (the number inside the radical sign).**
Here's the breakdown:
1. **Simplify:** First, simplify each radical as much as possible. Look for perfect square factors (or perfect cubes, etc., depending on the index) within the radicand.
2. **Check for Like Terms:** Are the index and radicand identical for all terms? If yes, move on. If not, you can't directly add them!
3. **Add the Coefficients:** Once you have like radicals, simply add the coefficients (the numbers in front of the radical). The radical part stays the same.
**Example:** 2√3 + 5√3 = (2+5)√3 = 7√3
What if they *aren't* alike? Sometimes simplifying can reveal hidden like terms! If simplification doesn't work, leave the expression as is – you can't force addition where it doesn't belong.
Practice makes perfect! So grab some problems and start adding. You'll be a radical addition master in no time!
