The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. It's an intriguing way of 'un-multiplying' numbers.
For a non-negative number \(a\), the square root is denoted as \(\sqrt{a}\).
- \(\sqrt{4} = 2\), since \(2 \times 2 = 4\).
- Approximately, \(\sqrt{2} \approx 1.41\)
- \(\sqrt{3} \approx 1.73\), but \(-\sqrt{3} = -1.73\)
Square roots are crucial in various mathematical calculations, offering ways to explore areas, solve equations, and more. It's like peeking inside a number to see its simplest roots, whether positive or negative. In everyday math, they help harness the power hidden within numbers for various applications.