Unit 1 - Objective 6 - Roots and Radicals

The symbol is used to indicate the nth root of a number b. When n = 2 it is not necessary to put 2 in the symbol.

The sign is called the root or radical sign.

says, "what number squared is 9".

The principal root of a positive number is defined as the positive root.

The principal root is negative when we take an odd root of a negative number.

because (-2) (-2) (-2) = -8

Principal nth Root of b

• The principal nth root of b is positive if b is positive.
• The principal nth root of b is negative if b is negative and n is odd.

The root of a product is the same as the product of the root of each factor.

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