How Do I Calculate Square Root in Python?

To calculate the square root in Python, you can use either the math.sqrt() function from the math module or the exponentiation operator **. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Using math.sqrt()

The math.sqrt() function is the most common and straightforward way to calculate the square root.

import math

# Example
number = 16
square_root = math.sqrt(number)
print(f"The square root of {number} is {square_root}")

Output:

The square root of 16 is 4.0

2. Using the Exponentiation Operator (**)

You can calculate the square root by raising the number to the power of 0.5.

# Example
number = 16
square_root = number ** 0.5
print(f"The square root of {number} is {square_root}")

Output:

The square root of 16 is 4.0

3. Using pow()

The pow() function can also be used to calculate the square root by setting the exponent to 0.5.

# Example
number = 16
square_root = pow(number, 0.5)
print(f"The square root of {number} is {square_root}")

Output:

The square root of 16 is 4.0

4. Handling Negative Numbers

The above methods will raise a ValueError if you try to calculate the square root of a negative number. To handle negative numbers, use the cmath module (complex math), which supports complex numbers.

import cmath

# Example
number = -16
square_root = cmath.sqrt(number)
print(f"The square root of {number} is {square_root}")

Output:

The square root of -16 is 4j

Which Method Should You Use?

• Use math.sqrt() for real numbers.
• Use cmath.sqrt() for complex numbers.
• Use the ** operator or pow() for a concise alternative when importing modules isn’t preferred.