Values of square roots Good-morning Math Exchange (and good evening to some!)
I have a very basic question that is confusing me. 
At school I was told that $\sqrt {a^2} = \pm a$
However, does this mean that $\sqrt {a^2} = +2$ *and*$-2$ or does it mean:
$\sqrt {a^2} = +2$ *OR*$-2$
Is it wrong to say 'and'? What are the implications of choosing 'and'/'or'
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and enjoy the rest of your day :)

$\sqrt{\mathrm{a}^{2}}=|a|$= +a OR -a.Remember here OR is used.AND is not used as a function cannot have two values at same time.
