Editing Principal value (section)

{{short description|Values along one branch of a multivalued function so that it is single-valued}}
{{For|the use of the term '''principal value''' in describing improper integrals |Cauchy principal value}}
{{For-text|the use of the term '''principal value''' for arcsines, arccosines, etc. | [[Inverse trigonometric function#principal_value_anchor|''Inverse trigonometric function § Principal value'']] }}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2023}}

In [[mathematics]], specifically [[complex analysis]], the '''principal values''' of a [[multivalued function]] are the values along one chosen [[branch (mathematical analysis)|branch]] of that [[Function (mathematics)|function]], so that it is [[Single-valued function|single-valued]]. A simple case arises in taking the [[square root]] of a positive [[real number]]. For example, 4 has two square roots: 2 and −2; of these the positive root, 2, is considered the principal root and is denoted as <math>\sqrt{4}.</math>