1.2 Radical Expressions

1.2 Radical Expressions

If $n$ is a positive integer greater than 1 and $a$ is a real number, then any real number $x$ such that $x = \sqrt[n]{a}$ is called $n^{th}$ root of $a$.

Here, $\sqrt{\phantom{a}}$ is called radical and $n$ is the index of radical. A real number under the radical sign is called a radicand. $\sqrt{5}$, $\sqrt[3]{7}$ are the examples of radical form.

Exponential form of $x = \sqrt[n]{a}$ is $x = (a)^{\frac{1}{n}}$.