It's not clear whether `x ** 0.5` is faster than `math.sqrt(x)`: [Which is faster in Python: x**.5 or math.sqrt(x)?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/327002/which-is-faster-in-python-x-5-or-math-sqrtx) I find `x ** 0.5` less readable so I suggest getting back to `math.sqrt(x)`.