bfloat(sqrt(%i))?

> [1,-1] (i.e. essentially the output of solve(x^2-1,x) ).
>
>
>    
Not adequate, really.   is sqrt(1) + sqrt(1)  then  [2,0,-2]?

I don't know about rootof  in maple, but it should have some ordering of 
roots and let you pick one, or be vague.

RootOf[x^2-1,x]  +RootOf[y^2-1,y] =??

RJF