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Root Calculators

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Choose the type of root you want to calculate

Calculate the square root of any number. The square root of a number x is a number y such that y² = x.

Calculation Results

View your root calculation details

√(144) = 12
Input
144
Root Type
Square Root
Result
12
Verification
144
Explanation: Square root of 144 is 12 because 12 × 12 = 144

Square Root

√x finds the number that multiplied by itself gives x. Used in geometry, physics, and everyday calculations.

Cube Root

³√x finds the number that multiplied by itself three times gives x. Essential for volume calculations.

Nth Root

ⁿ√x finds the number that raised to power n gives x. General root calculation for any degree.

Root Calculation Formulas

Square Root Formula

√x = y where y² = x
x = number, y = square root

The square root finds what number multiplied by itself equals the original number. For example, √25 = 5 because 5 × 5 = 25.

Cube Root Formula

³√x = y where y³ = x
x = number, y = cube root

The cube root finds what number multiplied by itself three times equals the original number. For example, ³√8 = 2 because 2 × 2 × 2 = 8.

Nth Root Formula

ⁿ√x = y where yⁿ = x
x = number, n = root degree, y = nth root

The nth root finds what number raised to power n equals the original number. For example, ⁴√16 = 2 because 2⁴ = 16.

Quadratic Formula

x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a
a, b, c = coefficients, x = roots

This formula finds the roots of quadratic equations. The discriminant (b² - 4ac) determines if roots are real or complex.

How to Use Each Calculator

Square Root Calculator

When to use: When you need to find what number multiplied by itself equals a given number.

Example: To find the side length of a square with area 81 m², calculate √81 = 9 m.

Steps: Enter the number, click Calculate. Works for any positive number.

Cube Root Calculator

When to use: When you need to find what number multiplied by itself three times equals a given number.

Example: To find the side length of a cube with volume 64 cm³, calculate ³√64 = 4 cm.

Steps: Enter any number (positive or negative), click Calculate.

Nth Root Calculator

When to use: When you need to find roots of any degree (4th root, 5th root, etc.).

Example: To find what number raised to the 4th power equals 625, calculate ⁴√625 = 5.

Steps: Enter the number and root degree, click Calculate.

Equation Roots Calculator

When to use: When you need to solve quadratic equations like x² - 5x + 6 = 0.

Example: For x² - 5x + 6 = 0, the roots are x = 2 and x = 3.

Steps: Enter coefficients a, b, c, click Solve.

Understanding Different Root Calculators

Square Root Calculator: The Foundation of Root Mathematics

The square root calculator finds the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals the original value. This fundamental mathematical operation serves as the basis for geometry, physics, and engineering calculations. When you input a number like 144, the calculator determines that 12 × 12 equals 144, giving you √144 = 12.

Square roots have practical applications in everyday life. Carpenters use them to calculate diagonal measurements when constructing right angles. Architects employ square roots to determine room dimensions from floor areas. In physics, square roots help calculate velocities and accelerations in motion equations. For financial analysts, square roots appear in statistical formulas for standard deviation and risk assessment.

The calculator handles both perfect squares (like 25, 36, 49) and non-perfect squares (like 2, 3, 5). For non-perfect squares, it provides decimal approximations with configurable precision. Remember that square roots of negative numbers aren't real numbers—they belong to the complex number system, which our calculator indicates with clear error messages.

Cube Root Calculator: Three-Dimensional Problem Solver

Cube root calculation determines what number multiplied by itself three times produces the original value. Unlike square roots, cube roots work with negative numbers because multiplying three negative numbers yields a negative result. This makes cube roots essential for three-dimensional calculations and volume-related problems.

Engineers frequently use cube roots when working with cubic containers, storage tanks, or any three-dimensional space. For instance, if you know a cube-shaped tank holds 64 cubic meters, the cube root calculation (³√64 = 4) reveals that each side measures 4 meters. Chemists apply cube roots when calculating molecular volumes, while meteorologists use them in atmospheric pressure equations.

The calculator processes both positive and negative inputs efficiently. For ³√27, it returns 3 because 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. For ³√-8, it returns -2 because (-2) × (-2) × (-2) = -8. This capability makes cube roots particularly useful in scientific fields where negative values frequently occur in measurements and calculations.

Nth Root Calculator: Universal Root Solution

The nth root calculator extends root calculations beyond squares and cubes to any positive integer degree. This versatile tool handles fourth roots, fifth roots, tenth roots, or any root degree you specify. The formula ⁿ√x = y means y raised to the power n equals x.

Financial analysts rely on nth roots for compound interest calculations and growth rate determinations. Biologists use them in population growth models, while economists apply them in productivity measurement formulas. Computer scientists employ nth roots in algorithm analysis and complexity calculations.

This calculator accommodates various scenarios: ⁴√16 = 2 (since 2⁴ = 16), ⁵√32 = 2 (since 2⁵ = 32), and so forth. It includes safety checks for mathematical constraints—for example, even roots of negative numbers produce non-real results, which the calculator clearly identifies. For odd roots, negative inputs yield negative results, maintaining mathematical consistency across all calculations.

Roots of Equation Calculator: Algebraic Problem Solver

This specialized calculator finds solutions to quadratic equations of the form ax² + bx + c = 0. Using the quadratic formula x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a, it determines where the equation equals zero—these points represent the equation's roots or x-intercepts on a graph.

Students and teachers use this calculator to verify algebraic solutions and understand equation behavior. Engineers apply it to trajectory calculations, structural analysis, and electrical circuit design. Business analysts utilize quadratic roots for profit optimization and break-even analysis in economics.

The calculator provides different outputs based on the discriminant (b² - 4ac). Positive discriminants yield two real roots, zero discriminants produce one repeated root, and negative discriminants indicate complex roots. Each result includes clear explanations about what the roots mean in practical terms, helping users interpret the mathematical outcomes in real-world contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between square root and cube root?
Square root finds what number multiplied by itself equals the original. Cube root finds what number multiplied by itself three times equals the original.
Can I calculate square roots of negative numbers?
Square roots of negative numbers are not real numbers (they are imaginary). Our calculator shows "Not a real number" for such cases.
What does nth root mean?
Nth root means any root degree. 2nd root is square root, 3rd is cube root, 4th is fourth root, and so on.
How accurate are the calculations?
Calculations use JavaScript's 64-bit floating point precision, accurate to about 15 decimal digits.
What if my equation has no real roots?
If b² - 4ac is negative, the quadratic equation has no real roots (only complex roots). The calculator will show this.
Can I calculate roots of decimal numbers?
Yes, enter any decimal number. For example, √0.25 = 0.5 because 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.25.

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