Algebra I

Roots are radicals different ways of saying the same thing. The √ symbol can be called the root symbol or the radical symbol. Just like subtraction undoes addition and division undoes multiplication, the root or radical symbol tells us to undo what exponents do.

Should you call the √ symbol the root symbol or the radical symbol. You can use whichever you want. Some textbooks use one, others use the other. It's just like saying 4⁵ can be called, "4 exponent 5" or "4 to the fifth power".