Last updated on May 26th, 2025
The square root of 17 is the inverse operation of squaring a value “y” such that when “y” is multiplied by itself → y ⤫ y, the result is 17. It contains both positive and a negative root, where the positive root is called the principal square root.
The square root of 17 is ±4.12310562562. The positive value,4.12310562562 is the solution of the equation x2 = 17. As defined, the square root is just the inverse of squaring a number, so, squaring 4.12310562562 will result in 17. The square root of 17 is expressed as √17 in radical form, where the ‘√’ sign is called “radical” sign. In exponential form, it is written as (17)1/2
We can find the square root of 17 through various methods. They are:
i) Prime factorization method
ii) Long division method
iii) Approximation/Estimation method
The prime factorization of 17 involves breaking down a number into its factors. Divide 17 by prime numbers, and continue to divide the quotients until they can’t be separated anymore. After factorizing 17, make pairs out of the factors to get the square root. If there exists numbers which cannot be made pairs further, we place those numbers with a “radical” sign along with the obtained pairs
So, Prime factorization of 17 =17 × 1
for 17, no pairs of factors are obtained, but a single 17 is obtained.
So, it can be expressed as √17 = √(17 × 1) = √17
√17 is the simplest radical form of √17
This is a method used for obtaining the square root for non-perfect squares, mainly. It usually involves the division of the dividend by the divisor, getting a quotient and a remainder too sometimes.
Follow the steps to calculate the square root of 17:
Step 1 : Write the number 17, and draw a bar above the pair of digits from right to left.
Step 2 : Now, find the greatest number whose square is less than or equal to 17. Here, it is 4, Because 42=16 < 17
Step 3 : Now divide 17 by 4 (the number we got from Step 2) such that we get 4 as quotient, and we get a remainder. Double the divisor 4, we get 8 and then the largest possible number A1=1 is chosen such that when 1 is written beside the new divisor, 8, a 2-digit number is formed →81 and multiplying 1 with 81 gives 81 which is less than 100.
Repeat the process until you reach remainder 0
We are left with the remainder, 871 (refer to the picture), after some iterations and keeping the division till here, at this point
Step 4 : The quotient obtained is the square root. In this case, it is 4.123…
Approximation or estimation of square root is not the exact square root, but it is an estimate.
Here, through this method, an approximate value of square root is found by guessing.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1 : Identify the square roots of the perfect squares above and below 17
Below : 16→ square root of 16 = 4 ……..(i)
Above : 25 →square root of 25= 5 ……..(ii)
Step 2 : Divide 17 with one of 4 or 5
If we choose 4, and divide 17 by 4, we get 4.25 …….(iii)
Step 3: Find the average of 4 (from (i)) and 4.25 (from (iii))
(4+4.25)/2 = 4.125
Hence, 4.125 is the approximate square root of 17
When we find the square root of 17, we often make some key mistakes, especially when we solve problems related to that. So, let’s see some common mistakes and their solutions.
Simplify 5√17?
5√17 = 5⤬√17
= 5⤬4.123
= 20.615
Answer : 20.615
√17= 4.123, so multiplying the square root value with 5
What is √11 + √17 ?
√11+ √17= 3.316+ 4.123
= 7.439
Answer: 7.439
adding the square root value of 11 with that of square root value of 17.
Find the value of√17 /√16?
√17/√16
= 4.123 / 4
= 1.03075
Answer: 1.03075
we divide √17 by the value of √16
If y=√17, find y²
firstly, y=√17= 4.123
Now, squaring y, we get,
y2= (4.123)2=17
or, y2=17
Answer : 17
squaring “y” which is same as squaring the value of √17 resulted to
17
Find √17 - √9
√17-√9 = 4.123–3 = 1.123
Answer : 1.123
subtracting the square root value of 9 from square root value of 17
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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