Square Root

Unicode
U+221A
Category
Math
HTML Entity
√
CSS
\221A
The √ symbol represents the principal square root of a number in mathematics. Originating from a stylized lowercase "r" (for the Latin radix, meaning root), it became a standard mathematical notation in the 16th century. While mostly used in academic texts and equations, you might spot it online when people playfully reference math problems or "getting to the root" of an issue.

How to Type

Windows
Alt+251
macOS
Option+V
Linux
Ctrl+Shift+U then 221A
HTML
√ or √

In Programming

Most programming languages use built-in functions like Math.sqrt() rather than the √ symbol for mathematical calculations. However, the symbol is widely used in LaTeX (as \sqrt{x}) and technical documentation to cleanly render formulas visually.

Tags

Alt 251 HTML 8730 LaTeX sqrt U+221A algebra calculation calculator square root mathematics radical radical sign radical symbol root root symbol math square root sign keyboard square root symbol √ copy paste

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