sqrt(x)
Definition
The square root of a number x is the value that, when multiplied by itself, equals x. It gives the positive solution to the equation x = y^2.
Analogy
Think of finding the square root as finding the length of one side of a square. Just like how multiplying that side by itself gives you the area of the square, taking the square root of a number gives you its "side length".
Related terms
Exponentiation: Exponentiation is raising a number to a power. For example, 2^3 means multiplying 2 by itself three times.
Radical: A radical is another term for a square root. It represents an operation that undoes exponentiation.
Quadratic Equation: A quadratic equation is an equation in which the highest power of the variable is 2 (x^2). Solving quadratic equations often involves taking square roots.
"sqrt(x)" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (3)
- What is the limit of (sqrt(x) - 1)/(x - 1) as x approaches 1?
- What is the behavior of the function h(x) = sqrt(x) as x approaches infinity?
- What is the limit of the function q(x) = sqrt(x) as x approaches 9?
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