The Python Square Root Function

Table of Contents

• Square Roots in Mathematics
• The Python Square Root Function
  • The Square Root of a Positive Number
  • The Square Root of Zero
  • The Square Root of Negative Numbers
• Square Roots in the Real World
• Conclusion
• FAQs

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Watch Now This tutorial has a related video course created by the Real Python team. Watch it together with the written tutorial to deepen your understanding: The Square Root Function in Python

The Python square root function, sqrt(), is part of the math module and is used to calculate the square root of a given number. To use it, you import the math module and call math.sqrt() with a non-negative number as an argument. For example, math.sqrt(9) returns 3.0.

This function works with both integers and floats and is essential for mathematical operations like solving equations and calculating geometric properties. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to effectively use the square root function in Python.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll understand how:

• Python’s sqrt() function calculates square roots using Python’s math.sqrt() for quick and accurate results in your programs.
• math.sqrt() calculates the square root of positive numbers and zero but raises an error for negative inputs.
• Python’s square root function can be used to solve real-world problems like calculating distances using the Pythagorean theorem.

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Square Roots in Mathematics

In algebra, a square, x, is the result of a number, n, multiplied by itself: x = n²

You can calculate squares using Python:

Python >>> n = 5 >>> x = n**2 >>> x 25