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Glossary

Surd

A surd is a root that cannot be simplified to a rational number, such as 2\sqrt{2} or 5\sqrt{5}, so its decimal never ends or repeats. Surds are exact forms of irrational numbers.

We simplify them using ab=ab\sqrt{ab}=\sqrt{a}\,\sqrt{b}, for example 12=23\sqrt{12}=2\sqrt{3}.

Meaning

A surd is a root that cannot be simplified to a rational number, such as 2\sqrt{2} or 5\sqrt{5}, so its decimal never ends or repeats. Surds are exact forms of irrational numbers.

We simplify them using ab=ab\sqrt{ab}=\sqrt{a}\,\sqrt{b}, for example 12=23\sqrt{12}=2\sqrt{3}.

Where it appears in Add Math

You meet Surd in the Indices, Surds and Logarithms chapter of SPM Additional Mathematics. Knowing the term precisely matters in the exam: questions often hinge on reading a keyword correctly, and because SPM marking is analytic, using the right definition in your working helps secure method marks.

Our teachers make sure a student can not only recite what Surd means but use it fluently in a full solution.

The term in three languages

Because the SPM Add Math paper is bilingual (BM/EN), it helps to know this term in each language: Surd (EN) · Surd (BM) · 根式 (中文)

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Written by the spmaddmath.com.my editorial team.· Last updated 5 September 2026

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