Square Root in Scilab

In Scilab, finding the square root of a number is straightforward with the sqrt() function.

sqrt(x)

Here, `x` represents the value you're aiming to root. This can be an individual number or even an array of numbers.

The sqrt() function then hands back the square root of your input.

It's essential to note that while the square root of positive real numbers is a breeze, inputting a negative value will yield a complex number.

Let's walk through its application.

First, define the number for which you want to calculate the square root.

num = 16

Next, invoke the sqrt() function

sqrt(num)

In our example, Scilab will determine the square root of 16 to be 4, given that 4² is 16.

Alternatively, there's another method to find the square root: raising the number to the power of 1/2

$$ \sqrt{16} = 16^{\frac{1}{2}} = 4 $$

For instance, to find the square root of 16, you can type 16^(1/2)

16^(1/2)

You'll find the result remains consistent: 4.

The versatility of the sqrt() function extends to arrays as well

Consider an array, A, with four distinct elements

A = [4, 9, 16, 25];

Then, compute the square root for the entire array.

sqrt(A)

Scilab will then provide the square root for each constituent of the array A.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Now, try calculating the square root of a negative number.

sqrt(-16)

Here, Scilab returns a complex number, given the absence of a real number solution.

Specifically, the square root of -16 translates to the complex number 0+4i

0. + 4.i

If this result seems a tad perplexing, it might be worthwhile to delve into the realm of complex numbers for clarity.

Lastly, it's worth highlighting that Scilab's mathematical arsenal isn't limited to square roots. It offers a rich library of functions, enabling calculations ranging from the sine of an angle to logarithms and beyond.