How to find the square root of a number with a handheld calculator:


A handheld calculator or scientific calculator that can be used to find the square root of a number will have a square root button that looks like:   [    ]   or   [ x  ]   or   [sqrt].
Where     is the radical sign (square root symbol) and "sqrt" is the abbreviation of square root.

For some calculators, you have to input the number first and then push the square root button. For other calculators, you have to push the square root button first and then input the number. Test your calculator to make sure you are using the correct input order by finding the square root of 4 which should display the answer 2.

If your calculator has the [yx] button (y raised to the x power) or [^] button (exponent button), you can find the square root of a number by using that button with x = 1/2 = .5
Where square root of N = N1/2 = N.5
Test your calculator by finding the square root of 4 which should display the answer 2.

As an alternative, if your calculator has the functions below, you can find the square root by:
Square root of N = e (ln N)/2 = 10 (lg N)/2


How to find the square root of a number with a spreadsheet.


For most spreadsheets:
The square root function is:   =SQRT(N)
(where N is a valid number)

Example:
type this into a spreadsheet cell:   =SQRT(2)
(Note: you have to include the equal sign in the spreadsheet cell.)
After pressing the Enter Key, the result should show 1.4142136...

Note:

Most handheld calculators and spreadsheets will show an error if you try to take the square root of:
1. a negative number
2. an imaginary number
3. a complex number

The square root calculator can easily provide the square root of these types of numbers.