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[HM] Principal square root
Posted:
Aug 28, 2005 5:33 PM
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Dear all,
For me it is natural to say that the square root of a non-negative real
number is non-negative. That is the common way to define "square root"
in Sweden. In basic American text-books I have noticed that the square
root might be defined as both positive or negative followed by a
definition of the non-negative root as the "principal" square root. I
am interested to know more about how you from all over the world define
the word "square root".
I suppose that all of you define the symbolic expression Va (I mean
\sqrt a) as a non-negative number. But I am not sure. In one of the
books I studied I found V9=3D+/-3. For me that is wrong and I would give
the student a square root sign (error symbol) in the margin.
Best greetings from peaceful Skebobruk
Staffan Rodhe
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