One for the mathematicians - Roots

[Skyedriver]

Son's homework, I know the 3rd root of 64 is 4 and the 5th root of 32 is 2 and that were the two questions but it got me thinking, how do you work it out for more complex numbers. Is there a straight forward method or just trial and error.....

[spikeyhead]

Use logarithms

[Skyedriver]

Yee Gods, Log tables, do they still exist, never used them since HNC in 1974.
Would need re-educating on how to use them

[anonymous-user]

I believe there is an invention called a 'calculator'

[bucksmanuk]

Take the log of the number
Divide it by the root required, square root divide by 2, cube root divide by 3, fourth root divide by 4, and so on.
Get the anti-log...
You can do it on some calculators but not all.

[Skyedriver]

OK will have a word with my chum A.B.Acus about that.

I've had a look a log tables (and antilog tables) and haven't got a clue any more about how to use them. Funny how I've forgotten over the last 45 years.