Square root of 17
2026-02-28 14:02 Diff
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Last updated on August 5, 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.

What Is the Square Root of 17?

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  

Finding the Square Root of 17

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
 

Square Root of 17 By Prime Factorization 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

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Square Root of 17 by Long Division Method

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…

Square Root of 11 by Approximation Method

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
 

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in the 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.

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Problem 1

Simplify 5√17?

Okay, lets begin

5√17 = 5⤬√17

= 5⤬4.123

= 20.615


Answer : 20.615
 

Explanation

√17= 4.123, so multiplying the square root value with 5
 

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Problem 2

What is √11 + √17 ?

Okay, lets begin

 √11+ √17= 3.316+ 4.123

= 7.439


Answer: 7.439
 

Explanation

adding the square root value of 11 with that of square root value of 17.
 

Well explained 👍

Problem 3

Find the value of√17 /√16?

Okay, lets begin

√17/√16

= 4.123 / 4

= 1.03075


Answer: 1.03075
 

Explanation

we divide √17 by the value of √16
 

Well explained 👍

Problem 4

If y=√17, find y²

Okay, lets begin

firstly, y=√17= 4.123


Now, squaring y, we get, 


y2= (4.123)2=17


or, y2=17


Answer : 17
 

Explanation

squaring “y” which is same as squaring the value of √17 resulted to 
17
 

Well explained 👍

Problem 5

Find √17 - √9

Okay, lets begin

 √17-√9 = 4.123–3 = 1.123


Answer : 1.123
 

Explanation

subtracting the square root value of 9 from square root value of 17
 

Well explained 👍

FAQs on 17 Square Root

1.Is 17 a perfect cube?

2.Is √17 a complex number?

3.Is 17 a perfect square or non-perfect square?

17 is a non-perfect square, since 17 =(4.12310562562) 2.
 

4.Is the square root of 17 a rational or irrational number?

The square root of 17 is ±4.12310562562. So, 4.12310562562 is an irrational number, since it cannot be obtained by dividing two integers and cannot be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers.

5. How would you represent √17 on a number line?

we can locate √17 on a number line. It is between 4 and 5 but more close to 4, precisely between 4.0 and 4.2

Important Glossaries for Square Root of 17

  • Exponential form: An algebraic expression that includes an exponent. It is a way of expressing the numbers raised to some power of their factors. It includes continuous multiplication involving base and exponent.Ex: 3 ⤬ 3 ⤬ 3 ⤬ 3 = 81 Or, 3 4 = 81, where 3 is the base, 4 is the exponent 
  • Factorization: Expressing the given expression as a product of its factors Ex: 52=2 ⤬ 2 ⤬ 13 
  • Prime Numbers : Numbers which are greater than 1, having only 2 factors as →1 and Itself. Ex: 1,3,5,7,....
  • Rational numbers and Irrational numbers:The Number which can be expressed as p/q, where p and q are integers and q not equal to 0 are called Rational numbers. Numbers which cannot be expressed as p/q, where p and q are integers and q not equal to 0 are called Irrational numbers.
  • Perfect and non-perfect square numbers:Perfect square numbers are those numbers whose square roots do not include decimal places. Ex: 4,9,25 Non-perfect square numbers are those numbers whose square roots comprise decimal places. Ex :2, 8, 18

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Jaskaran Singh Saluja

About the Author

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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: He loves to play the quiz with kids through algebra to make kids love it.