Is there a preferred way to typeset an empty sqrt? What I'm doing now is \sqrt{\phantom{a}}, are there other/preferred ways like a standalone symbol? Or should I just create a new macro with the phantom a?
asked Dec 15, 2013 at 13:19
1 Answer
The \surd command just produces the radical symbol √ as opposed to \sqrt{stuff} which typesets the square root of stuff with a bar over stuff. The Chicago Manual of Style uses just the radical symbol in the text "The radical sign √ is used to denote the square root".
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
Compare:
\begin{itemize}
\item The radical sign $\surd$ is used to denote the square root.
\item The radical sign $\sqrt{}$ is used to denote the square root.
\item The radical sign $\sqrt{\phantom{x}}$ is used to denote the square root.
\end{itemize}
Alternatively: the square root of $x$ is denoted $\surd x$ or $\sqrt{x}$.
\end{document}
The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics also just uses the radical sign (without an over bar) when defining both the terms "radical" and "square root".
answered Dec 15, 2013 at 14:35
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7Notice that
\surdplaces the symbol a bit higher, hence producing more pleasant vertically centered output.– yo'Dec 15, 2013 at 17:51 -
Let me add that the bar used in root notation historically was used as parentheses, before parentheses were introduced. So it is correct to write √(2 + 2) = 2.– AlexeyJul 24, 2022 at 17:18
\surdunless you specifically need the top bar.\surdWhen the sqrt is introduced in mathematical textbooks, how is the empty symbol printed? Is it ok to print it without the top bar?The radical sign $\surd$ is used to denote the square root.