SIGN

In Algebra, the symbol,/, denoting the extraction of a root. It is a modification of the letter r, the initial letter of radix or root. To distinguish the particular root which is to be extracted, a number is prefixed to the symbol; thus, ty, %/, 4/, ., denote respectively the square root, cube root, fourth root, .; but as the square root or second root was the first considered, the number is usually omitted, and merely the symbol,/ written. Fractional exponents are frequently used instead of the radical sign. A radical quantity is a quantity to which the radical sign is prefixed. [s. 1032]