diff --git a/macros/contexts/contextLimitedRadical.pl b/macros/contexts/contextLimitedRadical.pl
index 8c7bbd291f..49569d2ecd 100644
--- a/macros/contexts/contextLimitedRadical.pl
+++ b/macros/contexts/contextLimitedRadical.pl
@@ -128,6 +128,20 @@ sub _contextLimitedRadical_init {
 	};
 }
 
+###########################
+#
+# Convenience
+#
+# Pass $a,$b, get Formula("$a sqrt($b)") but simplified
+
+sub preprad {
+	my ($a, $b) = @_;
+	return Formula("0")  if $a == 0 || $b == 0;
+	return Formula("$a") if $b == 1;
+	my $simplifieda = abs($a) == 1 ? ($a > 0 ? '' : '-') : $a;
+	return Formula("$simplifieda sqrt($b)");
+}
+
 ###########################
 #
 #  Create root(n, x)