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√ Root Calculator

Compute square roots, cube roots, or any Nth root. Shows the decimal result, simplified radical form, and a verification. Handles negative numbers for odd-degree roots.

Root Formulas

Nth root: ⁿ√x = x^(1/n)
Simplify √n: find largest perfect square factor k², then √n = k√(n/k²)
Negative (odd degree): ⁿ√(−x) = −ⁿ√x when n is odd

Worked Examples

Example 1 — Simplify √72

72 = 36 × 2 → √72 = √36 × √2 = 6√2 ≈ 8.485

Example 2 — Cube root of −27

∛(−27) = −∛27 = −3

Frequently Asked Questions

The square root of a number n is the value that when multiplied by itself equals n. For example, √25 = 5 because 5 × 5 = 25. Every positive number has two square roots: one positive and one negative.

A square root finds a value r such that r² = n, while a cube root finds r such that r³ = n. Cube roots can accept negative inputs (e.g. ∛(−8) = −2), whereas square roots of negative real numbers are undefined in the real number system.

Not in the real number system — the result would be an imaginary number (using the imaginary unit i where i² = −1). However, odd-degree roots (cube root, 5th root, etc.) of negative numbers are valid real numbers.

To simplify √n, find the largest perfect square that divides n. For example, √48 = √(16×3) = 4√3. Factor out the perfect square, take its root, and leave the remainder under the radical sign.

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