17.

Roots
Previously we have looked at powers: For example, 42 = 16
squaring
• A root is used to find an unknown base. For example, √16 = 4
• In words, √16 is expressed as, ‘what number multiplied by itself
equals 16?’ 4 16

Like exponents, the two most common roots (2 & 3) are expressed as the Square
rooting
‘square root’ and the ‘cube root’ respectively.
3
• √64 is expressed as the square root of 64. √27 is expressed as the cube root of 27 (note square root does
not have a 2 at the front like the cube root does; the 2 is
assumed).
cubing
Let’s look at the relationship between 3 and 27. We know that 3 cubed
is 27 (3 × 3 × 3). 3 27
• So, 3 is the cube root of 27; ∛27= 3 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 33 = 27
Cube
Now let’s look at negative numbers: 33 = 27 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 (−3)3 = −27 rooting
• Yet, 52 = 25 and (−5)2 = 25, ∴ −5 is the square root of 25.
• Hence, √25 = ±5

Simplifying roots is difficult without a calculator. This process requires an estimation of the root of a number. To
estimate a root, it is helpful to know the common powers. Some common powers are given in the table below:

𝑛𝑛2 √ 17. Your Turn:

12 = 1 √1 = ±1
22 = Complete the table to the left.
32 =
42 =
52 = Using the table:
62 =
72 = √81 = ±9 (9 squared is 81)
82 =
√56 =? An example as such requires estimation. Look to
92 = 81 √81 = ±9
the table, if the square root of 49 is 7, and the square root of
102 =
64 is 8, then the square root of 56 is between 7 and 8 (7.48).
112 =
122 =
132 =

A surd is a special root which cannot be simplified into a whole number. For instance, √4 = ±2, 2 is a whole
number; therefore, √4 is not a surd. However, √3 = 1.732, 1.732 is not a whole number; therefore, √3 is a surd.

Large roots, such as √56 must be simplified to determine if they are surds. This process is explained on the next
page.

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