Square-Root Function
You learned that squaring a number means using that number as a factor twice. The opposite of squaring is finding a square root.
The square root of a number is a number which multiplied by itself, gives you the original number. Its symbol is called a radical sign.
Fractional exponents can be used instead of using the radical sign. We use fractional exponents because often they are more convenient, and it can make algebraic operations easier to follow.
Find out more about square-root functions by reading the explanation below.
Practice: Simplify radicals by using the Product and Quotient Properties of Square Roots in the exercises below.