Square root in Excel: SQRT function and other ways

This Excel tutorial demonstrates how to calculate square roots and nth roots. Finding the square root is a common mathematical operation, and Excel offers several methods.

Methods for Calculating Square Roots in Excel:

• Using the SQRT Function: The simplest approach is using the SQRT function: =SQRT(number). Replace "number" with the value or cell reference. For example, =SQRT(225) returns 15, and =SQRT(A1) calculates the square root of the value in cell A1. Note that SQRT returns a #NUM! error for negative numbers because the square root of a negative number is not a real number. To handle negative numbers, use =SQRT(ABS(A1)) which calculates the square root of the absolute value.

• Using the Exponent Formula: Alternatively, raise the number to the power of 1/2 (or 0.5): =number^(1/2) or =number^0.5. For instance, =25^(1/2) equals 5. This method is equivalent to the SQRT function and can be incorporated into more complex formulas, such as =IF(ISNUMBER(A1), A1^(1/2), "") which returns the square root if A1 contains a number, otherwise it returns an empty string.

• Using the POWER Function: The POWER function provides another way: =POWER(number, 1/2). This achieves the same result as the previous two methods.

Calculating Nth Roots in Excel:

The exponent method extends to calculating nth roots. Use the formula =number^(1/n), where 'n' is the desired root. For example:

• Cube root of 64: =64^(1/3)
• 4th root of 16: =16^(1/4) or =16^0.25
• 5th root of A1: =A1^(1/5)

The POWER function can also be used: =POWER(number, 1/n).

For more complex calculations involving multiple cells, use absolute cell references (e.g., =$A$1) to prevent unintended changes when copying formulas.

Choose the method that best suits your needs and formula complexity. Remember to use parentheses correctly, especially when using fractional exponents.

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