Final answer:
The square root sign conventionally refers to the positive square root only, but when solving equations with squared variables, there are typically both positive and negative roots.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'When is it plus or minus square root?' relates to the situations in mathematics when solving equations that involve square roots. By convention, a square root sign refers to the positive (principal) square root only. This is why you often see it as a positive value, also known as the principal square root.
However, when you solve an equation that involves squaring on both sides, there exists a positive and a negative root, usually represented as ± (plus or minus). For example, if the equation is x2 = 9, the solutions are x = 3 and x = -3 because both (3)2 and (-3)2 equal 9.