5. Simplify the radical.

To simplify a radical, look for perfect squares or cubes within the radicand. For example, the square root of 36 can be simplified because 36 is a perfect square. Thus, √36 = 6. If you're dealing with an expression like √(50), you can break it down: √(50) = √(25 * 2) = √25 * √2 = 5√2. Keep practicing with different numbers and soon you’ll be a radical simplification pro! Remember, one common mistake is neglecting to factor the radicand completely. Be vigilant about checking for all possible perfect squares or cubes. Sometimes, folks will stop too soon! For instance, in √(18), people might just write it as √(2 * 9) = 3√2, but forgetting that 9 can be simplified further can lead to a missed opportunity for a simpler expression. Always double-check and factor fully to avoid this!