SOLUTION: hsving trouble understanding N-th root. Can you explain what it is, and how to solve problems with them. I have muddled thru square root ok, but having a little problem with cubi

Algebra ->  Square-cubic-other-roots -> SOLUTION: hsving trouble understanding N-th root. Can you explain what it is, and how to solve problems with them. I have muddled thru square root ok, but having a little problem with cubi      Log On


   



Question 78453: hsving trouble understanding N-th root. Can you explain what it is, and how to solve problems with them. I have muddled thru square root ok, but having a little problem with cubic root, and don't know anything at all about N-th root.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. By the way, I am a 72 year old lady trying to learn Algebra. So far, so good. Thanks. Mary

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You know that every Real number has two square roots: 2 is the pricipal square
root of 4 and -2 is the secondary square root of four.
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when it comes to cube roots and higher it gets a little more complecated.
The priciple cube root of 8 is 2 because 2*2*2=8
There are two other cube roots but you have to understand the complex
number system to express them.
Similarly there are 4 4th roots of numbers, 5 5th roots of numbers,
and, in general, n nth roots of numbers.
When you study trigonometry and find out about a Frenchman named
DeMoivre you will find out how to calculate these "other" roots.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Stan H.