RADICAL QUANTITY
\ɹˈadɪkə͡l kwˈɒntɪti], \ɹˈadɪkəl kwˈɒntɪti], \ɹ_ˈa_d_ɪ_k_əl k_w_ˈɒ_n_t_ɪ_t_i]\
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(Math.) The Radical sign is the sign which indicates that a certain root is to be extracted. A R. quantity is a number or algebraical expression with the radical sign prefixed; thus,√157 is a radical quantity, the radical sign (√)-originally r, for radix, root-prefixed to 157 signifying that the square root is to be extracted, so that √157 denotes an incommensurable number whose square is 157, and which is very nearly equal to 12'53.
By Henry Percy Smith
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.