What is the Square Root Property in Mathematics?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Square Root Property in mathematics, specifically the expression $$\frac{1}{x}\sqrt{x^2}$$ and its implications. Participants clarify that $$\sqrt{x^2} = |x|$$ and that the expression simplifies to $$\text{sgn}(x)$$, which is dependent on the sign of x. The conversation also touches on the conventions of square roots in mathematics, emphasizing that the principal square root is non-negative, while the square root of a variable can yield both positive and negative values. Additionally, the ambiguity surrounding the expression $$0^0$$ is highlighted, with differing opinions on its value depending on context.

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  • Understanding of absolute values and their properties
  • Familiarity with mathematical functions and their conventions
  • Knowledge of square roots and their definitions
  • Basic comprehension of mathematical limits and indeterminate forms
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  • Study the properties of absolute values in detail
  • Learn about the principal square root and its applications in real analysis
  • Explore the concept of indeterminate forms, particularly in calculus
  • Investigate the implications of square roots in various mathematical fields, including algebra and physics
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Students, educators, and professionals in mathematics, physics, and engineering who seek to deepen their understanding of square root properties and their applications in various contexts.

cbarker1
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Dear everyone,

I have a question about a property of square root.
$${\frac{1}{x}\sqrt{x^2}}$$$\implies$ $\sqrt{\frac{x^2}{x^2}}$=$\left| 1 \right|$

Is that property of a square root? Since
$$\sqrt{x^2}$$= $\left| x \right|$.
 
Last edited:
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Cbarker1 said:
Dear everyone,

I have a question about a property of square root.
$${\frac{1}{x}\sqrt{x^2}}$$$\implies$ $\sqrt{\frac{x^2}{x^2}}$=$\left| 1 \right|$

Is that property of a square root? Since
$$\sqrt{x^2}$$= $\left| x \right|$.

The question can be a little controversial...

a) You can consider the square root of a positive number as a one value function and in this case is $\displaystyle \sqrt{1} = 1$...

b) You can consider the square root of a positive number as a two values function and in this case is $\displaystyle \sqrt{1} = \pm 1$...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
I have often seen this treated as:

$$\frac{\sqrt{x^2}}{x}=\frac{|x|}{x}=\text{sgn}(x)\equiv\begin{cases}-1, & x<0 \\[3pt] 1, & 0<x \\ \end{cases}$$
 
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I learned the convention that if you take the square root of a number then it's considered positive. But if you take the square root of a variable, then it's plus or minus.
[math]\sqrt{4} = 2 \text{ and } \sqrt{x^2} = \pm x[/math].

Math conventions in Physics always get me into trouble. (Doh) I had an interview with a Professor from NCU and overheard a "discussion" between her and one of her grad students. It seems that she insisted that [math]0^0 = 1[/math] and was rather aggressive about it. So, of course, when I walked in for the interview I just had to ask if [math]0^0 = 1[/math] was a new convention as it should be undefined. (Wasntme) She made sure that I understood that she felt I needed "remedial Math" before I could work on a dissertation.

-Dan
 
Cbarker1 said:
Dear everyone,

I have a question about a property of square root.
$${\frac{1}{x}\sqrt{x^2}}$$$\implies$ $\sqrt{\frac{x^2}{x^2}}$=$\left| 1 \right|$

Hi Cbarker1,

I'm afraid that it is not generally true.
$$\sqrt{\frac 1{x^2}} = \left|\frac 1 x\right|$$
This is not the same as $\frac 1 x$.

What you write is only true if it is given that $x \ge 0$.
 
topsquark said:
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I learned the convention that if you take the square root of a number then it's considered positive. But if you take the square root of a variable, then it's plus or minus.
[math]\sqrt{4} = 2 \text{ and } \sqrt{x^2} = \pm x[/math].

Math conventions in Physics always get me into trouble. (Doh) I had an interview with a Professor from NCU and overheard a "discussion" between her and one of her grad students. It seems that she insisted that [math]0^0 = 1[/math] and was rather aggressive about it. So, of course, when I walked in for the interview I just had to ask if [math]0^0 = 1[/math] was a new convention as it should be undefined. (Wasntme) She made sure that I understood that she felt I needed "remedial Math" before I could work on a dissertation.

-Dan

It is my understanding that:

$$|x|\equiv\sqrt{x^2}$$

It is also my understanding that $0^0$ is indeterminate.
 
topsquark said:
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I learned the convention that if you take the square root of a number then it's considered positive. But if you take the square root of a variable, then it's plus or minus.
[math]\sqrt{4} = 2 \text{ and } \sqrt{x^2} = \pm x[/math].

From wikipedia:
Every non-negative real number a has a unique non-negative square root, called the principal square root, which is denoted by √a, where √ is called the radical sign or radix.


Is see no ambiguity.
The symbol √ represents the principal square root, which is by definition non-negative for real numbers.
topsquark said:
Math conventions in Physics always get me into trouble. (Doh) I had an interview with a Professor from NCU and overheard a "discussion" between her and one of her grad students. It seems that she insisted that [math]0^0 = 1[/math] and was rather aggressive about it. So, of course, when I walked in for the interview I just had to ask if [math]0^0 = 1[/math] was a new convention as it should be undefined. (Wasntme) She made sure that I understood that she felt I needed "remedial Math" before I could work on a dissertation.
$0^0$ is more ambiguous.

It depends on the type of the exponent.
If the exponent is an integer, $0^0$ is usually defined as 1.

But if we're talking about continuous exponents, and if the form $0^0$ arises as a limit of $f(x)^{g(x)}$, it must be handled as an indeterminate form.

If not explicitly defined in the text, it could depend on the field you're working in.
Which field did the particular Professor work in?
 
If I confused any one, sorry. I picked out the certain step.
I am Deriving the cubic formula. I have trouble figuring out what how the Quadratic formula forms into the "R" and how the missing one half.

Here is the work shown:

$u^3-\frac{p^3}{27u^3}+q=0$
I multiply the 27u^3 both sides that yields
$27u^6-27u^3q+p^3=0$
divided by 27
$u^6-u^3q+\frac{p^3}{27}=0$
I use the Quadratic Formula:
$u^3=\frac{-q\pm\sqrt{(-q)^2+4(1)(\frac{p^3}{27}})}{2(1)}$
Therefore, $u^3=\frac{-q}{2}\pm\frac{\sqrt{\frac{27q^2+4p^3}{27}}}{2}$
If we let $R=\left(\frac{-q}{2}\right)^{\!{2}}+\left(\frac{p}{3}\right)^{\!{3}}$, then $u^3=\frac{-q}{2}\pm\sqrt{R}$.
 
  • #10
Cbarker1 said:
Therefore, $u^3=\frac{-q}{2}\pm\frac{\sqrt{\frac{27q^2+4p^3}{27}}}{2}$
If we let $R=\left(\frac{-q}{2}\right)^{\!{2}}+\left(\frac{p}{3}\right)^{\!{3}}$, then $u^3=\frac{-q}{2}\pm\sqrt{R}$.

Since the denominator $2$ is positive, we can bring it into the square root without sign problems.
$$\frac{\sqrt{\frac{27q^2+4p^3}{27}}}{2}
=\sqrt{\frac{27q^2+4p^3}{2^2\cdot27}}
=\sqrt{\frac{q^2}{2^2}+\frac{p^3}{27}}
=\sqrt{\left(\!\frac{q}{2}\!\right)^{\!2}+\left(\!\frac{p}{3}\!\right)^{\!3}}
=\sqrt{\left(\!\frac{-q}{2}\!\right)^{\!2}+\left(\!\frac{p}{3}\!\right)^{\!3}}
$$
 
  • #11
I like Serena said:
Which field did the particular Professor work in?
String Theory. From what I've studied about it I've never even seen 0^0 come up. Physicists are funny creatures...they define one thing in one paper and change it to suit their needs in the next. (I try hard not to be that bad. That's one of the reasons I try to take Math classes from a Math professor, not a Physics one.)

-Dan
 

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