Definition:Square Root/Positive Real

Definition
Let $x \in \R_{\ge 0}$ be a positive real number.

The square roots of $x$ are the real numbers defined as:
 * $x^{\paren {1 / 2} } := \set {y \in \R: y^2 = x}$

where $x^{\paren {1 / 2} }$ is the $2$nd root of $x$.

The notation:
 * $y = \pm \sqrt x$

is usually encountered.

From Existence of Square Roots of Positive Real Number, we have that:
 * $y^2 = x \iff \paren {-y}^2 = x$

That is, for each (strictly) positive real number $x$ there exist exactly $2$ square roots of $x$.

Also see

 * Existence of Square Roots of Positive Real Number


 * Definition:Positive Square Root
 * Definition:Square Root of Negative Number


 * Definition:Complex Square Root


 * Even Power is Non-Negative