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.

The above is the detailed content of Square root in Excel: SQRT function and other ways. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!