Most programming languages give <code>2</code> as the answer to square root of <code>4</code>. However, there are two answers: <code>2</code> and <code>-2</code>. Is there any particular reason, historical or otherwise, why only one answer is usually given?

Because: <ul> <li>In mathematics, √x commonly, unless otherwise specified, refers to the principal (i.e. positive) root of x [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SquareRoot.html].</li> <li>Some languages don't have the ability to return more than one value.</li> <li>Since you can just apply negation, returning both would be redundant.</li> </ul>

Why do most programming languages only give one answer to square root of 4?

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Most programming languages give 2 as the answer to square root of 4. However, there are two answers: 2 and -2. Is there any particular reason, historical or otherwise, why only one answer is usually given?

727

asked May 08 '09 04:05

bugmagnet

1 Answers

Because:

In mathematics, √x commonly, unless otherwise specified, refers to the principal (i.e. positive) root of x [http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SquareRoot.html].
Some languages don't have the ability to return more than one value.
Since you can just apply negation, returning both would be redundant.

answered Sep 21 '22 19:09

Nietzche-jou

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