Calculate nth roots with step-by-step working. Square roots, cube roots, and any root with precision control.
The nth root of a number x is a value that, when raised to the power n, equals x. For example, the square root (n=2) of 9 is 3 because 3² = 9. The cube root (n=3) of 8 is 2 because 2³ = 8.
A perfect nth root occurs when a number is an exact integer raised to the power n. For example, 64 is a perfect square root because 8² = 64. 27 is a perfect cube root because 3³ = 27.
Odd roots (cube root, 5th root, etc.) of negative numbers are real and negative. Even roots (square root, 4th root, etc.) of negative numbers result in complex (imaginary) numbers, which our calculator indicates.
For square roots, you can use estimation and refinement methods. For cube roots, you can use prime factorization if the number is a perfect cube. For general roots, use logarithms: ⁿ√x = x^(1/n) = e^((ln x)/n).
Roots and exponents are inverse operations. If x = aⁿ, then a = ⁿ√x. The nth root can be calculated as x^(1/n). This relationship is fundamental in algebra and calculus.