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In mathematics, the radical symbol, radical sign, root symbol, or surd is a symbol for the square root or higher-order root of a number.
An unresolved root, especially one using the radical symbol, is sometimes referred to as a surd [2] or a radical. [3] Any expression containing a radical, whether it is a square root, a cube root, or a higher root, is called a radical expression , and if it contains no transcendental functions or transcendental numbers it is called an algebraic ...
A symbol for square roots, written as an elaborate R, was invented by Regiomontanus (1436–1476). An R was also used for radix to indicate square roots in Gerolamo Cardano's Ars Magna. [18] According to historian of mathematics D.E. Smith, Aryabhata's method for finding the square root was first introduced in Europe by Cataneo—in 1546.
The following table lists many specialized symbols commonly used in modern mathematics, ordered by their introduction date. The table can also be ordered alphabetically by clicking on the relevant header title.
A mathematical symbol is a figure or a combination of figures that is used to represent a mathematical object, an action on mathematical objects, a relation between mathematical objects, or for structuring the other symbols that occur in a formula. As formulas are entirely constituted with symbols of various types, many symbols are needed for ...
In 1637 Descartes was the first to unite the German radical sign √ with the vinculum to create the radical symbol in common use today. [8] The symbol used to indicate a vinculum need not be a line segment (overline or underline); sometimes braces can be used (pointing either up or down). [9]
The ± sign means the equation can be written with either a + or a – sign. In mathematics, a basic algebraic operation is any one of the common operations of elementary algebra, which include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to a whole number power, and taking roots (fractional power). [1]
He introduced the radical symbol (√) for the square root. It is believed that this was because it resembled a lowercase "r" (for "radix"), [ 3 ] [ 4 ] though there is no direct evidence. [ 5 ] Cajori only says that a "dot is the embryo of our present symbol for the square root" [ 6 ] though it is "possible, perhaps probable" that Rudolff's ...