Math Editor

The World of Roots!

If we have an equation like xn=a, then x is called the n-th root of a. In simpler terms, finding the n-th root of a number a means finding a number x that, when multiplied by itself n times, equals a.

Types of Roots

1. Square Roots (n=2):
   The most common type of root is the square root. If x2=a, then x is a square root of a. Every positive number a has two real square roots: one positive and one negative. For example, the square roots of 9 are 3 and -3, because 32=9 and (−3)2=9.
   The positive square root is called the principal square root and is denoted by the radical symbol √. So, √9=3.

• • Notation: √a
  • Example: √25=5 (since 52=25)

2. Cube Roots (n=3):
   If x3=a, then x is the cube root of a. Unlike square roots, every real number (positive, negative, or zero) has exactly one real cube root.

• • Notation: 3√a
  • Example: 3√8=2 (since 23=8)
  • Example: 3√−27​=−3 (since (−3)3=−27)

3. Nth Roots (General Case):
   For any positive integer n, if xn=a, then x is an n-th root of a.

• • Notation: n√a
  • Properties:
  • • If n is even and a>0, there are two real n-th roots (one positive, one negative). The principal root is positive.
    • If n is even and a<0, there are no real n-th roots (only complex roots).
    • If n is odd, there is exactly one real n-th root for any real a.

Roots and Rational Exponents

Roots can also be expressed using fractional (rational) exponents. This provides a powerful connection between powers and roots:

n√a=a1/n

More generally, if you have a power inside a root:

n√am=am/n

Examples:

• √7=71/2
• 3√x2=x2/3
• 161/4=4√16=2 (since 24=16)

Properties of Roots

Roots follow several useful properties, which are derived from the properties of exponents:

• Product Property: n√ab=n√a⋅n√b
• • Example: √12=√4⋅3=√4⋅√3=

Examples

Let's walk through some examples:

Example 1: Simplify √12

1. Find the largest perfect square factor of 12:

• • Factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.
  • The perfect square factor is 4.

2. Rewrite 12 as a product:

• • 12=4⋅3

3. Separate the square roots:

• • √12=√4⋅3=√4⋅√3

4. Simplify the perfect square root:

• • √4=2

5. Multiply the results:

• • 2⋅√3=2√3

So, √12 simplifies to 2√3.

Example 2: Simplify √72

1. Find the largest perfect square factor of 72:

• • Let's list some perfect squares: 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64...
  • Is 72 divisible by 4? Yes, 72÷4=18.
  • Is 72 divisible by 9? Yes, 72÷9=8.
  • Is 72 divisible by 16? No.
  • Is 72 divisible by 25? No.
  • Is 72 divisible by 36? Yes, 72÷36=2.
  • 36 is the largest perfect square factor.

2. Rewrite 72 as a product:

• • 72=36⋅2

3. Separate the square roots:

• • √72=√36⋅2=√36⋅√2

4. Simplify the perfect square root:

• • √36=6

5. Multiply the results:

• • 6⋅√2=6√2

So, √72 simplifies to 6√2.

Example 3: Simplify √50

1. Find the largest perfect square factor of 50:

• • The perfect square factor is 25 (25⋅2=50).

2. Rewrite 50 as a product:

• • 50=25⋅2

3. Separate the square roots:

• • √50=√25⋅2=√25⋅√2

4. Simplify the perfect square root:

• • √25=5

5. Multiply the results:

• • 5⋅√2=5√2

So, √50 simplifies to 5√2.

Alternative Method: Prime Factorization

If finding the largest perfect square factor is difficult, you can use prime factorization:

1. Find the prime factorization of the radicand.
2. Look for pairs of identical prime factors.
3. For each pair, bring one of the factors outside the square root.
4. Multiply the numbers outside the square root.
5. Multiply the remaining numbers inside the square root.

Example: Simplify √72 using prime factorization

1. Prime factorization of 72:

• • 72=2⋅36
  • 36=2⋅18
  • 18=2⋅9
  • 9=3⋅3
  • So, 72=2⋅2⋅2⋅3⋅3

2. Look for pairs:

• • We have a pair of 2s (2⋅2).
  • We have a pair of 3s (3⋅3).
  • One 2 is left over.

3. Bring factors outside:

• • From 2⋅2, bring out a 2.
  • From 3⋅3, bring out a 3.

4. Multiply numbers outside:

• • 2⋅3=6

5. Multiply remaining numbers inside:

• • The remaining factor is 2. So, √2.

Combining them, we get 6√2.

Both methods yield the same result. Choose the one that feels most comfortable for you!