Why do we say that $\sqrt{a}$ is a square root of $a$?
Is this because $\sqrt{a}$ is a root of the function $f(x)=x^2-a$?
Cubic root similarly?
Thanks in advance
math-historyterminology
Why do we say that $\sqrt{a}$ is a square root of $a$?
Is this because $\sqrt{a}$ is a root of the function $f(x)=x^2-a$?
Cubic root similarly?
Thanks in advance
Best Answer
The "root" of "square root" is from latin radix.
From Florian Cajori, A history of mathematical notations (1928), page 361 of I vol of Dover reprint :
See page 366 :
See page 144 :
Added
From John Fauvel & Jeremy Gray (editors), The History of Mathematics: A Reader (1987).
Page 229 :
Page 250 :
Page 260 :
Finally :