Question

Why mathematicians use radicals instead of decimals?

For instance: √350 in exact form is: 5√14
: While in decimals its: 18.708

So why not use 18.708 over 5√14 since both will yield the same result?

Answer 1

In most of the cases, calculations become easier when decimals are avoided. For eg, if radius of circle is given as 7 cm and you are asked to find the area, you use π=22/7 instead of 3.14, you're free to use anything but why to make things complicated rather than keeping it simple?

Secondly, another disadvantage of using decimals is most of the times, the decimals are of the type non-repeating recurring. Lets take the same example again, π = 3.14159265358979323846, this is never ending. Hence, 22/7 is short, sweet and simple.

Hope it helps!!! :)