Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

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Study for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your preparation with practice flashcards and hints. Get ready for your GMAT exam!

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When taking the even root of a number, which root should you use?

negative root
any root
positive root
zero root

The correct answer is: positive root

When determining which root to use when taking the even root of a number, the positive root is the correct choice. The even roots, such as the square root, fourth root, and so on, are defined in such a way that they yield non-negative results. For any non-negative number, the principal even root is the positive value. For instance, when finding the square root of 9, the outcome is 3, which is the positive root, not -3, even though both 3 and -3, when squared, yield 9. However, the principal square root notation (√) conventionally denotes the positive root only. Additionally, it is important to note that even roots of negative numbers are not defined within the real number system. Thus, in any mathematical context involving even roots, it is crucial to look for the positive root for clarity and adherence to conventional standards in mathematics.