Do You Have to Rationalize a Denominator

Explanation: Technically no. The general reason why it is desirable, is to have a standard form. If for example you look a trig ratios that have radicals, these are given with rationalized denominators, so it makes it easier to recognize these ratios when you rationalize the denominator in your calculations.

Do you always have to rationalize a denominator?

Explanation: Technically no. The general reason why it is desirable, is to have a standard form. If for example you look a trig ratios that have radicals, these are given with rationalized denominators, so it makes it easier to recognize these ratios when you rationalize the denominator in your calculations.

How do you know when to rationalize the denominator?

To rationalize the denominator means to eliminate any radical expressions in the denominator such as square roots and cube roots. The key idea is to multiply the original fraction by an appropriate value, such that after simplification, the denominator no longer contains radicals.