Square Root (Radical) – Meaning, Copy & Paste, LaTeX, Unicode
Complete mathematical reference, typing shortcuts, character entities, and usage guide for the Square Root (Radical) (√).
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What Does the √ Symbol Mean?
The square root symbol (√), also known as the radical sign, denotes the principal non-negative root of a number. When applied to a value x, it indicates a number y such that y² = x. It originated as a stylized Latin letter 'r' for radix.
Real Numeric Examples
√(64) 8 × 8 = 64 Because 8 squared equals 64, the principal non-negative square root of 64 is exactly 8.
√(3² + 4²) √(9 + 16) = √(25) = 5 Calculates the hypotenuse of a 3-4-5 right triangle using the Pythagorean theorem.
LaTeX, Unicode, HTML & Keyboard Codes for √
Copy individual technical codes and character entities with one click:
\sqrt{x} U+221A √ √ Alt+251 Option + V How to Type √ on Every Device and Application
Step-by-step instructions for Windows, Mac, Word, Google Docs, Excel, HTML, LaTeX, and mobile devices:
Windows
Hold down Alt and type 251 on your numeric keypad, then release Alt. Alternatively, type 221A and press Alt + X in Word.
Alt+251 Mac (macOS)
Press Option + V on your keyboard to instantly insert the radical symbol √ anywhere on macOS.
Option + V Microsoft Word
Press Alt + = to open Equation mode, type \sqrt and hit Space. Or type 221a followed by Alt + X.
\sqrt{x} Google Docs
Go to Insert > Equation, type \sqrt, and press Space or Enter. You can also use Insert > Special Characters and search 'square root'.
\sqrt{x} Excel / Spreadsheets
Enter =UNICHAR(8730) into any Excel cell to display √. Note: to calculate a numerical square root value, use =SQRT(cell).
=UNICHAR(8730) HTML & Web
Use the HTML named entity √ or decimal entity √.
√ LaTeX (Math Mode)
Write \sqrt{x} in math mode. For an nth root (such as cube root), write \sqrt[3]{x}.
\sqrt{x} Android & iPhone (iOS)
Switch keyboard to numeric symbols (?123 then =\< on Android/iOS) or copy √ directly from this page.
√ Commonly Confused With
Distinguish √ from visually similar mathematical glyphs and characters:
Check Mark
vs √The check mark (✓, U+2713) denotes approval or completion, whereas the radical sign (√, U+221A) is a mathematical operator indicating root extraction.
Explore in miscellaneous math symbolsCube Root
vs √The cube root symbol (∛, U+221B) features a superscript 3 and calculates the value that multiplied by itself 3 times equals the radicand.
Explore in arithmetic symbolsLatin Letter v
vs √The letter 'v' is an alphabetic variable, whereas '√' has an extended left tail and right horizontal vinculum over terms.
Explore in algebra symbolsFrequently Asked Questions About √
Answers to common questions about typing, meaning, and syntax for √:
What is the Alt code for the square root symbol √?
The Windows Alt code for √ is Alt + 251. Ensure Num Lock is turned on, hold the Alt key, type 251 on the numeric keypad, and release Alt.
How do you type the square root symbol on Mac?
On Mac, press Option + V. This native macOS shortcut inserts √ directly into any text field or document.
What is the difference between the square root symbol √ and a checkmark ✓?
The radical sign √ (U+221A) has a distinct angle designed to hook into a horizontal vinculum line over mathematical radicands, while the checkmark ✓ (U+2713) has uniform stroke width intended for checklists and validation.
How do you write a square root in LaTeX?
In LaTeX, write \sqrt{x}. The curly braces enclose the expression under the radical line. For higher roots, provide an optional index like \sqrt[3]{8} for the cube root of 8.
What is the Excel function for calculating square root versus the symbol?
To calculate a numerical square root in Excel, use =SQRT(number). To display the literal symbol √ inside a text cell, use the formula =UNICHAR(8730).