Square root of a multivector of Clifford algebras in 3D: A game with signs

Abstract: An algorithm to extract the square root in radicals from a multivector (MV) in real Clifford algebras Cl(p,q) for n=p+q <=3 is presented. We show that in the algebras Cl(3,0), Cl(1,2) and Cl(0,3) there are up to four isolated roots in a case of the most general (generic) MV. The algebra Cl(2,1) makes up an exception and the MV here can have up to 16 isolated roots. In addition to isolated roots, a continuum of roots can appear in all algebras except p+q=1. A number of examples are provided to illustrate properties of various roots that may appear in n=3 Clifford algebras.