What is the Square Root Property in Mathematics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of square roots in mathematics, particularly focusing on the expression $\frac{1}{x}\sqrt{x^2}$ and its implications. Participants explore various interpretations of square roots, including the conventions surrounding positive and negative values, and the implications of these conventions in different contexts, including physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that $\sqrt{x^2} = |x|$, leading to the interpretation that $\frac{\sqrt{x^2}}{x} = \text{sgn}(x)$, which depends on the sign of $x$.
  • Others argue that the square root of a positive number is a one-value function, while the square root of a variable can be interpreted as having two values, $\pm x$.
  • A participant mentions that the expression $\sqrt{\frac{1}{x^2}}$ is not the same as $\frac{1}{x}$ unless $x \ge 0$.
  • There is a discussion about the convention that the square root of a number is considered positive, while the square root of a variable can be both positive and negative.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the treatment of $0^0$, with differing views on whether it should be defined as 1 or considered indeterminate.
  • One participant shares an anecdote about a disagreement between a professor and a student regarding the value of $0^0$, highlighting the variability in mathematical conventions across different fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of square roots, particularly regarding the treatment of $\sqrt{x^2}$ and the value of $0^0$. Multiple competing views remain on these topics.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on definitions of square roots and the context in which they are applied, particularly in physics versus pure mathematics. The discussion also highlights unresolved mathematical conventions and assumptions regarding $0^0$.

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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