C# Math.Sqrt Method

Math.Sqrt computes a square root value at runtime.

A square root is the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals the original number. Sqrt is a slower computation. It can be cached for a performance boost.

Example. First, the Math.Sqrt method is called with a double argument. In this program, the integer arguments to Math.Sqrt are converted to doubles at compile-time. The Sqrt method returns another double.

Double

C# program that uses Math.Sqrt

using System;

class Program
{
    static double[] _lookup = new double[5];

    static void Main()
    {
	// Compute square roots by calling Math.Sqrt.
	double a = Math.Sqrt(1);
	double b = Math.Sqrt(2);
	double c = Math.Sqrt(3);
	double d = Math.Sqrt(4);

	// Store square roots in lookup table.
	var lookup = _lookup;
	lookup[1] = a;
	lookup[2] = b;
	lookup[3] = c;
	lookup[4] = d;

	Console.WriteLine(a);
	Console.WriteLine(b);
	Console.WriteLine(c);
	Console.WriteLine(d);

	Console.WriteLine(lookup[1]);
	Console.WriteLine(lookup[2]);
	Console.WriteLine(lookup[3]);
	Console.WriteLine(lookup[4]);
    }
}

Output

1
1.4142135623731
1.73205080756888
2
1
1.4142135623731
1.73205080756888
2

Lookup tables. Here is an effective tip for performance optimization. You can cache the results of functions such as Sqrt in arrays or other lookup structures. This sometimes yields impressive performance boosts.

So: To get the Sqrt(1), you can instead use lookup[1]. This reduces a complex mathematical routine to a simple memory access.

More information about this optimization is available in the book Code Complete. And a short review of Code Complete is available on this website. As a developer, you should use a variety of reference books.

Summary. The Sqrt method implements classic mathematical functionality in the C# language. This logic can be slow. It can be effectively stored in an array (or other lookup table) and then instantly fetched.

Tip: You can research this by studying the memory hierarchy. You can also use the Math.Pow method to reverse Sqrt.

Memory Hierarchy: Performance OptimizationMath.Pow

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