The '''square root''' of a number ''x'' is a number that, multiplied by itself, results in ''x''.<ref>"Note that any positive real number has two square roots, one positive and one negative. For example, the square roots of 9 are -3 and +3, since (-3)<sup>2</sup> = (+3)<sup>2</sup> = 9." [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SquareRoot.html Wolfram Research] - Eric Weisstein </ref> For example, 5 × 5 = 25 so 5 is a square root of 25. Also, -5 × -5 = 25 so 5 is the other square root.
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The '''square root''' of a number ''x'' is a number that, multiplied by itself, results in ''x''. The positive square root is the length of one side of a square. Multiply the length by itself, and the product is the area of the square.
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The positive square root is the length of one side of a square. Multiply the length by itself, and the product is the area of the square.
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For example, 5 × 5 = 25 so 5 is a square root of 25. Also, -5 × -5 = 25 so 5 is the other square root. <ref>"Note that any positive real number has two square roots, one positive and one negative. For example, the square roots of 9 are -3 and +3, since (-3)<sup>2</sup> = (+3)<sup>2</sup> = 9." [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SquareRoot.html Wolfram Research] - Eric Weisstein </ref>
The usual symbol for the square root of ''x'' is <math>\sqrt{x}</math>. If you need both roots, use
The usual symbol for the square root of ''x'' is <math>\sqrt{x}</math>. If you need both roots, use