Problem with taking the xth root of both sides.

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An equation like $x^x = 2$, I can see why it's tempting to take the xth root of both sides. But isn't there a major problem with that?

You are supposed to take the +/- root if the root is an even number. But how do you know if x is even? (It might not even be rational.)

How are you supposed to know if the root should be the principal root or the +/- root.

I am coming directly from this video, by the way.