Square root: what is it, how to calculate, exercises

THE square root is a math operation that accompanies all grade levels. This is a particular case of radiciation, in which the index of the radical is equal to 2, that is, it is the inverse operation of the powers of exponentequal to 2. When a positive number has exact square root, we say that this number is one perfect square.

Read too:Properties involving complex numbers

Definition and nomenclature of the elements of rooting

be Theand B two real numbers and no a natural number nonzero, so:


The = rooting
no = index
= radical

At square roots, as said, are a particular case of radiciation. When writing a squareroot, it is not necessary to spell out the index equal to two.

For the other types of roots, it is mandatory to place the index, that is, for n = 3, n = 4, n = 5 …, it is necessary to make explicit in the index of the radical the value of no.

Read too: Radical reduction at the same rate

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How to calculate a square root?

To calculate the square root of a real number, just follow the definition of rooting:

THE definition tells us that the square root of a real number The is the number B if and only if the number B squared equals the number The, that is, we have to imagine a number that, by square, result in the number inside the radical.

Examples:

√36 = 6, since 62 = 36

√ 121 = 11, because 112 = 121

Numbers that have a square root are called perfect squares. So, from the examples above, the numbers 36 and 121 are perfect squares. When the number is not a perfect square, it is necessary to perform the calculation of inexact roots.

Square root of any number, represented by x.
Square root of any number, represented by x.

Comments:

1. Realize, based on the definition of square root, what ever we look for a number that, when raised to the square, results in the number within the radical. In view of the potentiation properties, we know that a squared number is always positive. This leads us to conclude that it is not possible to extract square root of a negative number in the set of real numbers.

Example:

— 36 = ?

From the example above, we would have to imagine a number that, squared, would result in -36. In the set of real numbers, this is not impossible.

2. If the root is a relatively large number, which would make mental calculation impossible, just do the decomposition into primes and group whenever possible into powers of exponent two.

Example:

Let's determine the square root value of 441.

√441

To determine the root of 441, let's do the prime decomposition:

441 = 32. 72

Thus,

√441 = √32. 72

Now, applying the radiciation properties, we have to:

√441 = 3. 7 = 21

The number 21 squared equals 441.

Mind Map: Square Root

Mind Map: Square Root

*To download the mind map in PDF, Click here!

Geometric interpretation of square root

Imagine a land with an area of ​​144 m2.

To determine how long the side of this square-shaped terrain is, we have to remember how to calculate its area.

square = 12

A represents the area value, and l is the side value.

As the area is worth 144 m2, We have to:

144=l2

Look at the equation above. Note that we need to find a number that, squared, equals 144, that is, we have the definition of square root! Then:

√144 = 12

The number 144 in factored form is:

144 = 22. 22. 32

So, we're going to have to:

√144 = √22. 22. 32

Lastly,

√144 = 2. 2. 3 = 12

Therefore, the land side measures 12 m.

solved exercises

1. Make a list of perfect squares from 1 to 100.

The perfect squares from 1 to 100 are: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81 and 100

2. Determine the square root of the number 1024.

1024

To determine the root of 1024, let's do the decomposition into primes:

1024 = 22. 22. 22. 22. 22

Then,

 Considering the second equality with the properties of rooting already applied.

*Mental Map by Luiz Paulo Silva
Graduated in Mathematics

by Robson Luiz
Maths teacher

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