Understanding the Square Root | Definition, Properties, and Applications

square root

The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number

The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. It is denoted by the symbol √ or by writing the number with a small 2 above the square root symbol (√x).

For example, the square root of 9 is 3 because 3 multiplied by itself equals 9. This can be written as √9 = 3. Similarly, the square root of 16 is 4 because 4 multiplied by itself equals 16 (√16 = 4).

However, it’s important to note that not all numbers have real square roots. For example, the square root of -1 does not exist within the real number system. In this case, we use the concept of imaginary numbers to represent the square root of negative numbers.

The square root function can be applied to both positive and negative numbers, but it is typically used in the context of finding the positive square root. In some cases, if we need to find both the positive and negative square roots, we may use the ± symbol. For instance, when solving a quadratic equation, we may express the solutions as ±√x.

More Answers: