sqrt{3} = 1.732050807568877\) ... \(\pi = 3.14159\) ... Roots that cannot be written as exact decimals are called surds. Leaving an answer in surd form means the answer is exact. This square has ...

This makes it less accurate. If it is left as \(\sqrt 5\), then the answer has not been rounded, which keeps it exact. Here are some general rules when simplifying expressions involving surds.