How to write the square root symbol in LaTeX?

How to write the square root symbol in LaTeX?

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This article aims to show you the simplest and easiest way to write the square root symbol in LaTeX.

If you work with LaTeX you probably know the square root, and today you will learn how to insert it in your document.

Square Root Symbol

The square root of some number a is another number b whose square is a, that being said, multiplying b twice results in a, b^2 = a. To represent square roots we use what is called the radical sign or radix, which is

Square Root in LaTeX

In LaTeX luckily you don’t need packages for the square root. You call the square root command in math mode, by writing \sqrt{}. This command takes one value as argument, for example

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
$$\sqrt{4} = 2$$
$$\sqrt{X} = Z$$
\end{document}


The square root is also used to solve a quadratic equation

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
For $ax^2 + bx + c$ we have \\
\vspace{5pt}
$x = \dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$
\end{document}


Nth Root

As you probably already know, the root of numbers are not limited to the square root, we also have the cube root or the nth root of some number.

For the cubic and nth root the command adds another parameter, the command is \sqrt[#1]{#2} now it takes two arguments, #1 refers to the root value or the root power and #2 to the argument inside the root (the expression).

For example,

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
$$\sqrt[3]{27} = 3 \rightarrow 3^3 = 27$$
$$\sqrt[n]{x} = y \rightarrow y^3 = x$$
\end{document}


Now you know how the LaTeX code for the square, cube and nth root. It is time to put the knowledge into practice.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful, and as always keep writing in LaTeX.

All the images were created in LaTeX by: “name of the author”

Further Reading

LaTex Tutorial on Symbols

Author
Joannah W.
Joannah has been a science publisher with close to 20 years of experience. She wants to help students and researchers stay ahead of the trends and developments in the science community by making science more accessible to everyone.