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Root Note:

In chords, root means the main note for which that chord is based upon. For instance the root note of

C, Shown below is infact C. It is the first note in that chord which is A3. Therefore the root note of C is C. Pretty easy!

The Root note in a scale is the main note for which the scale is based upon. Usually the first note in the scale.

In the G major scale, Shown below, the root note is on the Low E, E3.

|--------------------------------  2--3---------------------|
|---------------------------- 3--5-------------------------|
|-------------------- 2--4--5-------------------------------|
|------------ 2--4--5---------------------------------------|
|---- 2--3--5-----------------------------------------------|
|3--5-----------------------------------------------------|
 

Furthermore, if one talks about the FIFTH or the SEVENTH...or even the NINTH or whatever they are talking about the relativity of the note in the major scale. So when someone talks about the fifth, they are talking about just that, the fifth note in a given scale. To get the fifth (or seventh or whatever) you would just count up from the first note of the major scale until you get to the fifth note. So in the G maj. scale the fifth is A5 or D. The seventh is D4 or F#. Relatively easy I'd say.

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