A radical is an expression that uses a root, such as the square root or cube root, to indicate a value that, when raised to a specified power, yields the original number. Radicals are often used to simplify expressions and solve equations involving roots.
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The square root of a number $x$ is written as $\sqrt{x}$ and represents the value that, when squared, equals $x$.
Cube roots are denoted as $\sqrt[3]{x}$ and represent values that, when cubed, equal $x$.
The expression $\sqrt[n]{x}$ represents the $n^{th}$ root of $x$, which is a value that, when raised to the power of $n$, equals $x$.
Rational exponents can be used in place of radicals; for example, $x^{1/n}$ is equivalent to $\sqrt[n]{x}$.
Simplifying radicals involves finding the largest perfect square (or other relevant power) factor of the radicand and rewriting the radical as a product.