4.4 Square Root of an Algebraic Expression

4.4 Square Root of an Algebraic Expression

The square root of an algebraic expression refers to a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original expression. Just like finding the square root of a number, taking the square root of an algebraic expression involves determining what expression, when squared, results in the given expression.

For example, square root of $4a^2$ is $\pm 2a$ because $2a \times 2a = 4a^2$ and $(-2a) \times (-2a) = 4a^2$

There are following two methods for finding the square root of an algebraic expression:

(a) By factorization method (b) By division method