SQR: Your Square Root Sidekick
Need to find the square root of a number? Look no further than the SQR
command, your trusty square root sidekick! This mathematical marvel takes any non-negative number and reveals its square root – that is, the value that, when multiplied by itself, equals the original number. It's like having a pocket calculator with a dedicated square root button, ready to help you solve all sorts of geometric, algebraic, and everyday problems!
Syntax
SQR(<number>)
Where:
- <number>
: The non-negative numeric value for which you want to find the square root. If you try to use a negative number, you'll get an ?ILLEGAL QUANTITY ERROR
message.
Applications
The SQR
command is your go-to tool when:
- Working with geometry: Calculate the length of a side in a right triangle using the Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²).
- Solving quadratic equations: Find the roots of quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
- Calculating distances: Determine the distance between two points in a coordinate system.
- Scaling graphics: Resize images or sprites by calculating scaling factors based on square roots.
Code Examples
1. Simple Square Root Calculation:
10 X = 16
20 Y = SQR(X) :rem Y stores the square root of X
30 PRINT Y :rem Output: 4
This example demonstrates how to find the square root of 16.
2. Pythagorean Theorem:
10 INPUT "Enter length of side A: "; A
20 INPUT "Enter length of side B: "; B
30 C = SQR(A*A + B*B) :rem Calculate the hypotenuse C
40 PRINT "Hypotenuse: "; C
Here, SQR
is used in the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
SQR in the Wild: The Carpenter's Helper
Imagine you're a carpenter building a diagonal brace for a square frame. The SQR
command can help you calculate the exact length of the brace, ensuring a perfect fit.
Don't get stuck on square one! With SQR
in your Commodore 64 toolkit, you can easily conquer square roots and tackle a wide range of mathematical challenges. It's like having a personal math tutor ready to help you with your calculations. So embrace the power of SQR
and let it be your guide to a world of square roots and beyond!