It was also surprising that it was UKHeliBob, who I would have thought would have known better, but we all have blind spots.
KeithRB:
It was also surprising that it was UKHeliBob, who I would have thought would have known better, but we all have blind spots.
UKHeliBob also said it was a misunderstanding of English that lead to his confusion. Which is why I pointed out that negate and [/i]negative[/i] mean different things.
Yeah, those folks in the UK don't know how to speak English. 8^)
KeithRB:
Yeah, those folks in the UK don't know how to speak English. 8^)
Or, in the immortal words of Steve Martin: "Those French! They have a different word for everything!" 
Regards,
Ray L.
KeithRB:
Yeah, those folks in the UK don't know how to speak English. 8^)
Please remind me how you pronounce the word solder
The way my "Websters New World Dictionary of the American Language" says it should be pronounced. 8^)
Let's call the whole thing off
I dunno Bob. We've got 40 more posts before we can do that... 
This is what we call 'geek bonding time'. 
I thought the definition of square root was the number, which when multiplied by itself, resulted in the argument. Perhaps you mean the result of the sqrt() function.
No, I mean the mathematical function denoted by the radical sign.
Delta_G:
I have never seen where square root was defined as positive.
That is because you only read the first paragraph of the English Wikipedia article.
It works that way on a calculator but I know for certain I've had points taken off on a math test for not putting both answers.
And I am almost certain that was when you where supposed to solve a quadratic equation. That DOES have two solutions. The square root function, on the other hand, has one solution, so positive one. That is why you have to write the +- sign as soon as you introduce the radical sign, not after solving it. (See "Quadratic formula")
And we can't just go willy nilly redefining exponential rules. Quadratic equations have two roots for this reason.
And mathematical functions have one result for a reason.
If you want me to buy that there is only one square root then you're going to have to provide some evidence. I've had a LOT of math classes and have always been taught that there are always two.
You have been correctly taught that quadratic equation have two answers. But a mathematical function has one.
A square root is a qualifier for a number that also applies to the negative number. The (principal) square root (function) is a mathematical function with one answer which is defined as the positive. See how this is defined in the second paragraph of the English Wiki or the first of the German, e.g. Also see how "principal" is in brackets in the figure text of the English Wikipedia article, or read the third paragraph, telling you that it is common to not explicitly state it, because a function ALWAYS has one answer, so there isn't really any alternative when talking about functions.
If you say something like "to square root a number" (like in the posting that caused this subdiscussion), or "apply the square root to a number", then clearly the function is meant and there is just one answer, the positive.
You really only would think of the qualifier meaning in combination with the undefined article (like "find a square root") or something like "find all square roots".
Again, for all your doubts concerning quadratic equation, see when the +- sign is introduced. If you forgot that, you rightfully lost points. If you lost points for answering "sqrt(16)=_" with only 4, than you where right and your teacher was wrong.
This is just silly. I'm moving it to Bar Sport.
I haven't had a good laugh in a long time. Thank you. As my math teacher said ABS will return a value of 0 through any positive number, but never ever a negative number. It is just that simple. No matter what language you speak.
I'd like to add that NextGen was the best Star Trek.
Sure, right behind the original series.
CrossRoads:
Sure, right behind the original series.
TOS has generated a lot more parody humor than any other scifi series, that's for sure. Just watch anything by Shatner.
Teach them bits. Show em how to clear the sign bit.