Square Root & Cube Root

Complete Reference Guide for BCS Examination

What This Guide Covers:

Part 1: Foundation — Squares, Cubes, and Unit Digit Patterns

Part 2: Square Root — Prime Factorization, Long Division, BCS Shortcut
Part 3: Cube Root — Prime Factorization, BCS Shortcut
Part 4: Advanced Shortcuts — Squaring tricks, Approximate roots
Part 5: BCS Strategy — MCQ Elimination, Common traps
Part 6: Practice Problems — 30 MCQ with detailed solutions

Prepared for: Umme Abira Azmary — 51st BCS Preparation

PART 1: Foundation — Must Memorize First
Before learning any shortcut, you must memorize these tables. Every root calculation trick depends
on instant recall of squares (1-30) and cubes (1-15). There is no shortcut for this step — you must
commit them to memory.

1.1 Squares Table (1-30)

Memorize all 30 squares. For BCS, questions frequently test squares up to 30. Pay special
attention to 11-20 range which is most commonly tested.

n n2 n n2 n n2

1 1 11 121 21 441

2 4 12 144 22 484

3 9 13 169 23 529

4 16 14 196 24 576

5 25 15 225 25 625

6 36 16 256 26 676

7 49 17 289 27 729

8 64 18 324 28 784

9 81 19 361 29 841

10 100 20 400 30 900

Quick Memory Trick: Focus on squares ending in 5 first (152=225, 252=625, 352=1225...) — these are
easiest to calculate and most useful in the shortcut method.

1.2 Cubes Table (1-15)

You need cubes from 1 to at least 10 for the cube root shortcut. Knowing up to 15 gives you extra
confidence for harder BCS problems.

n n3 n n3 n n3

1 1 6 216 11 1331

2 8 7 343 12 1728

3 27 8 512 13 2197
 4 64 9 729 14 2744

5 125 10 1000 15 3375

1.3 Unit Digit Patterns — The Key to Every Shortcut

This is the single most important concept for BCS root problems. The last digit of a perfect square
or perfect cube tells you what the last digit of its root must be. Master this table and you can
eliminate wrong MCQ options instantly.

Square Root — Unit Digit Rule:

Look at the last digit of the number. The square root's last digit can only be one of two possibilities
(except for 0 and 5, which give exactly one possibility).

Last digit of N Last digit of N Example

1 1 or 9 81 -> 9, 121 -> 11

4 2 or 8 784 -> 28, 144 -> 12

5 5 only 225 -> 15, 625 -> 25

6 4 or 6 576 -> 24, 196 -> 14

9 3 or 7 529 -> 23, 169 -> 13

0 0 only 900 -> 30, 400 -> 20

CRITICAL: Numbers ending in 2, 3, 7, or 8 can NEVER be perfect squares. If a BCS question asks for
the square root of a number ending in these digits, the answer will be irrational (not a whole number).

Cube Root — Unit Digit Rule:

Cube roots are simpler — each last digit maps to exactly ONE possible last digit for the root. The
key rule: 2 and 8 swap, 3 and 7 swap, everything else stays the same.

Last digit of N Last digit of cube root Rule

0 0 Same

1 1 Same

2 8 SWAP

3 7 SWAP

4 4 Same

5 5 Same
 6 6 Same

7 3 SWAP

8 2 SWAP

9 9 Same

Why cube root is easier than square root: Square root gives you TWO possibilities (you need an
extra step to decide), but cube root gives you exactly ONE answer for the last digit. This makes cube root
shortcuts faster!
PART 2: Square Root — Three Methods

2.1 Method 1: Prime Factorization

This is the most fundamental method. Break the number into prime factors, group them in pairs,
and take one from each pair.

Steps:

Step 1: Divide the number by the smallest prime (2, 3, 5, 7, 11...) repeatedly.
Step 2: Write the complete prime factorization.
Step 3: Group the prime factors into pairs.
Step 4: Take one factor from each pair and multiply them together.

Example 1: Find the square root of 576

Step 1: Prime Factorization

576 / 2 = 288
288 / 2 = 144
144 / 2 = 72
72 / 2 = 36
36 / 2 = 18
18 / 2 = 9
9/3=3
3/3=1

Step 2: 576 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3

Step 3: Group in pairs: (2 x 2) x (2 x 2) x (2 x 2) x (3 x 3)

Step 4: Take one from each pair: 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 = 24

Therefore, the square root of 576 = 24

Example 2: Find the square root of 1764

 Step 1:
1764 / 2 = 882
882 / 2 = 441
441 / 3 = 147
147 / 3 = 49
49 / 7 = 7
7/7=1

Step 2: 1764 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 7 x 7 = (2 x 2) x (3 x 3) x (7 x 7)

Step 3: Take one from each pair: 2 x 3 x 7 = 42

Example 3: Find the square root of 3136

Step 1:
3136 / 2 = 1568
1568 / 2 = 784
784 / 2 = 392
392 / 2 = 196
196 / 2 = 98
98 / 2 = 49
49 / 7 = 7
7/7=1

Step 2: 3136 = 26 x 72 = (2 x 2) x (2 x 2) x (2 x 2) x (7 x 7)

Step 3: Take one from each: 2 x 2 x 2 x 7 = 56

When to use: Best for smaller numbers or when you need 100% accuracy. Not ideal for BCS MCQ
because it takes too long for large numbers.
Important: If any prime factor does NOT form a complete pair, the number is NOT a perfect square.

2.2 Method 2: Long Division

This method works for ANY number — perfect square or not. It can also find decimal places. It is
the standard textbook method taught in NCTB Class 8.

Steps:
Step 1: Group the digits in pairs from right to left. The leftmost group may have 1 or 2 digits.
Step 2: Find the largest number whose square is less than or equal to the first group.
Step 3: Subtract and bring down the next pair.
Step 4: Double the current quotient. This becomes the first part of the new divisor.
Step 5: Find a digit X such that (doubled quotient * 10 + X) * X is close to the remainder.
Step 6: Repeat until all pairs are used.

Example 1: Find the square root of 2304 by long division

Step 1: Group digits: 23 | 04

Step 2: First group = 23

Largest perfect square less than or equal to 23 is 42 = 16
Write 4 as quotient. Subtract: 23 - 16 = 7

Step 3: Bring down next pair: 7 becomes 704

Step 4: Double the quotient: 4 x 2 = 8

New divisor starts with 8_

Step 5: Find X such that 8X x X = 704

Try X = 8: 88 x 8 = 704. Perfect!

Result: Quotient = 4 and 8 = 48

Verification: 48 x 48 = 2304

Example 2: Find the square root of 7056 by long division

Step 1: Group digits: 70 | 56

Step 2: First group = 70

Largest square less than or equal to 70: 82 = 64
Quotient = 8. Remainder: 70 - 64 = 6

Step 3: Bring down: 6 becomes 656

Step 4: Double quotient: 8 x 2 = 16

New divisor starts with 16_

Step 5: Find X such that 16X x X = 656

Try X = 4: 164 x 4 = 656. Perfect!

Result: 84. Verification: 84 x 84 = 7056

Example 3: Find the square root of 15129 by long division

Step 1: Group digits: 1 | 51 | 29 (3 groups since 5-digit number)

Step 2: First group = 1

12 = 1. Quotient = 1. Remainder = 0

Step 3: Bring down 51: Remainder = 051 = 51

Double quotient: 1 x 2 = 2. Divisor = 2_
Find X: 22 x 2 = 44 (ok), 23 x 3 = 69 (too big). X = 2
51 - 44 = 7

Step 4: Bring down 29: Remainder = 729

Quotient so far = 12. Double: 12 x 2 = 24. Divisor = 24_
Find X: 243 x 3 = 729. Perfect!

Result: 123. Verification: 123 x 123 = 15129

When to use: When you need exact roots for non-perfect squares (with decimals), or when the number
has 5+ digits. Also useful for descriptive exam questions that ask you to 'show your work'.
2.3 Method 3: BCS Shortcut (Fastest for MCQ)
This is the method you should use for BCS MCQ. It finds the square root of any perfect square in
10-15 seconds. You need to know squares of 1-10 and the unit digit pattern.

Split last 2 digits -> Find 2 possibilities -> Decide using

middle number

Detailed Steps:

Step 1: SPLIT — Separate the last 2 digits from the remaining digits.
For example: 2304 becomes 23 | 04

Step 2: LAST DIGIT — Look at the unit digit of the original number. Use the unit digit table to find 2
possible last digits for the root.
Example: 2304 ends in 4, so root ends in 2 or 8.

Step 3: REMAINING DIGITS — Take the remaining part (after removing last 2 digits). Find which
two consecutive squares it falls between. Take the smaller square root.
Example: 23 is between 42=16 and 52=25. Take 4.

Step 4: COMBINE — You now have two candidates: 42 or 48.

Step 5: DECIDE — Square the number ending in 5 that falls between them (45). 452 = 2025. Since
2304 > 2025, pick the larger candidate = 48.

Worked Examples with Full Reasoning:

Example 1: Square root of 529

Step 1: Split: 5 | 29
Step 2: Last digit = 9. From table: root ends in 3 or 7
Step 3: Remaining = 5. Between 22=4 and 32=9. Take smaller = 2
Step 4: Two candidates: 23 or 27
Step 5: Middle number = 25. 252 = 625. Since 529 < 625, take smaller.
Answer: 23

Example 2: Square root of 1296

Step 1: Split: 12 | 96
Step 2: Last digit = 6. Root ends in 4 or 6
Step 3: Remaining = 12. Between 32=9 and 42=16. Take 3
Step 4: Two candidates: 34 or 36
Step 5: 352 = 1225. Since 1296 > 1225, take larger.
Answer: 36

Example 3: Square root of 3969

Step 1: Split: 39 | 69
Step 2: Last digit = 9. Root ends in 3 or 7
Step 3: Remaining = 39. Between 62=36 and 72=49. Take 6
Step 4: Two candidates: 63 or 67
Step 5: 652 = 4225. Since 3969 < 4225, take smaller.
Answer: 63

Example 4: Square root of 5184

Step 1: Split: 51 | 84
Step 2: Last digit = 4. Root ends in 2 or 8
Step 3: Remaining = 51. Between 72=49 and 82=64. Take 7
Step 4: Two candidates: 72 or 78
Step 5: 752 = 5625. Since 5184 < 5625, take smaller.
Answer: 72

Example 5: Square root of 9801

Step 1: Split: 98 | 01
Step 2: Last digit = 1. Root ends in 1 or 9
Step 3: Remaining = 98. Between 92=81 and 102=100. Take 9
Step 4: Two candidates: 91 or 99
Step 5: 952 = 9025. Since 9801 > 9025, take larger.
Answer: 99

Example 6: Square root of 2916

Step 1: Split: 29 | 16
Step 2: Last digit = 6. Root ends in 4 or 6
Step 3: Remaining = 29. Between 52=25 and 62=36. Take 5
Step 4: Two candidates: 54 or 56
Step 5: 552 = 3025. Since 2916 < 3025, take smaller.
Answer: 54

The '5-squared' trick: To quickly find the square of a number ending in 5:

Take the tens digit, multiply by (tens digit + 1), then append 25.
252 = 2x3 = 6, append 25 = 625 | 352 = 3x4 = 12, append 25 = 1225 | 552 = 5x6 = 30, append 25 = 3025 |
752 = 7x8 = 56, append 25 = 5625 | 952 = 9x10 = 90, append 25 = 9025
PART 3: Cube Root — Two Methods

3.1 Method 1: Prime Factorization

Same concept as square root, but group factors in threes instead of pairs.

Example 1: Cube root of 1728

Step 1: 1728 / 2 = 864 / 2 = 432 / 2 = 216 / 2 = 108 / 2 = 54 / 2 = 27 / 3 = 9 / 3 = 3 / 3 = 1

Step 2: 1728 = 26 x 33

Step 3: Group in threes: (2 x 2 x 2) x (2 x 2 x 2) x (3 x 3 x 3)

Step 4: Take one from each group: 2 x 2 x 3 = 12

Example 2: Cube root of 9261

Step 1: 9261 / 3 = 3087 / 3 = 1029 / 3 = 343 / 7 = 49 / 7 = 7 / 7 = 1

Step 2: 9261 = 33 x 73

Step 3: Group in threes: (3 x 3 x 3) x (7 x 7 x 7)

Step 4: Take one from each: 3 x 7 = 21

3.2 Method 2: BCS Shortcut (Fastest for MCQ)

This is even faster than the square root shortcut because the last digit gives you exactly ONE
possibility (no need for the extra 'decide' step!).

Split last 3 digits -> Find unit digit -> Find tens digit ->
Done!

Detailed Steps:

Step 1: SPLIT — Separate the last 3 digits from the remaining digits.
(For square root you split 2; for cube root you split 3.)

Step 2: UNIT DIGIT — Look at the last digit. Use the cube root unit digit table to find the last digit
of the cube root. (Remember: 2 swaps with 8, 3 swaps with 7.)

Step 3: TENS DIGIT — Take the remaining digits. Find which two consecutive cubes they fall
between. Take the smaller cube root.

Step 4: COMBINE — Put tens digit before unit digit. That's your answer!

Worked Examples with Full Reasoning:

Example 1: Cube root of 17576

Step 1: Split last 3 digits: 17 | 576

Step 2: Last digit of 576 = 6. From table: cube root ends in 6 (same)
Step 3: Remaining = 17. Between 23=8 and 33=27. Take smaller = 2
Step 4: Combine: 26
Verify: 26 x 26 x 26 = 17576

Example 2: Cube root of 32768

Step 1: Split: 32 | 768

Step 2: Last digit of 768 = 8. From table: cube root ends in 2 (swap!)
Step 3: Remaining = 32. Between 33=27 and 43=64. Take 3
Step 4: Combine: 32
Verify: 32 x 32 x 32 = 32768

Example 3: Cube root of 474552

Step 1: Split: 474 | 552

Step 2: Last digit of 552 = 2. From table: cube root ends in 8 (swap!)
Step 3: Remaining = 474. Between 73=343 and 83=512. Take 7
Step 4: Combine: 78
Verify: 78 x 78 x 78 = 474552

Example 4: Cube root of 250047

Step 1: Split: 250 | 047

Step 2: Last digit = 7. From table: cube root ends in 3 (swap!)
Step 3: Remaining = 250. Between 63=216 and 73=343. Take 6
Step 4: Combine: 63
Verify: 63 x 63 x 63 = 250047
 Example 5: Cube root of 148877

Step 1: Split: 148 | 877

Step 2: Last digit = 7. From table: cube root ends in 3 (swap!)
Step 3: Remaining = 148. Between 53=125 and 63=216. Take 5
Step 4: Combine: 53
Verify: 53 x 53 x 53 = 148877

Example 6: Cube root of 941192

Step 1: Split: 941 | 192

Step 2: Last digit = 2. From table: cube root ends in 8 (swap!)
Step 3: Remaining = 941. Between 93=729 and 103=1000. Take 9
Step 4: Combine: 98
Verify: 98 x 98 x 98 = 941192

3.3 Square Root vs Cube Root Shortcut — Side by Side

Feature Square Root Shortcut Cube Root Shortcut

How many digits to split? Last 2 digits Last 3 digits

Unit digit gives how many options? 2 options (need extra step) 1 option (direct answer!)

What table to use for remaining? Squares table (1-10) Cubes table (1-10)

Need 'decide' step? YES (compare with middle) NO (answer is direct)

Time needed 10-15 seconds 5-10 seconds

Which is easier? Slightly harder EASIER!

PART 4: Advanced Shortcuts & Special Cases

4.1 Quick Squaring Tricks

These tricks help you verify answers quickly during the BCS exam.

Trick 1: Square of numbers ending in 5

Formula: For a number N5 (like 25, 35, 45...), the square = N x (N+1), then append 25.

Number Calculation Result

152 1 x 2 = 2, append 25 225

252 2 x 3 = 6, append 25 625

352 3 x 4 = 12, append 25 1225

452 4 x 5 = 20, append 25 2025

552 5 x 6 = 30, append 25 3025

652 6 x 7 = 42, append 25 4225

752 7 x 8 = 56, append 25 5625

852 8 x 9 = 72, append 25 7225

952 9 x 10 = 90, append 25 9025

Trick 2: Square of numbers near 50 (41-59)

Formula: For a number (50 + d), the square = (25 + d) x 100 + d2
For (50 - d), the square = (25 - d) x 100 + d2

Examples:

532: d = 3. (25+3) x 100 + 9 = 2800 + 9 = 2809

472: d = 3. (25-3) x 100 + 9 = 2200 + 9 = 2209
562: d = 6. (25+6) x 100 + 36 = 3100 + 36 = 3136
442: d = 6. (25-6) x 100 + 36 = 1900 + 36 = 1936

Trick 3: Square of numbers near 100 (90-110)

Formula: For (100 + d), the square = (100 + 2d) x 100 + d2
For (100 - d), the square = (100 - 2d) x 100 + d2

Examples:
 1032: d = 3. (100+6) x 100 + 9 = 10600 + 9 = 10609
972: d = 3. (100-6) x 100 + 9 = 9400 + 9 = 9409
1082: d = 8. (100+16) x 100 + 64 = 11600 + 64 = 11664
922: d = 8. (100-16) x 100 + 64 = 8400 + 64 = 8464

4.2 Approximate Square Root (Non-Perfect Squares)

BCS sometimes asks for approximate values. Use this formula:

sqrt(N) = sqrt(P) + (N - P) / (2 x sqrt(P)) where P =

nearest perfect square

Example 1: Approximate square root of 50

Nearest perfect square = 49 (72)

sqrt(50) = 7 + (50-49) / (2x7) = 7 + 1/14 = 7 + 0.071 = 7.07
(Actual value: 7.071)

Example 2: Approximate square root of 200

Nearest perfect square = 196 (142)

sqrt(200) = 14 + (200-196) / (2x14) = 14 + 4/28 = 14 + 0.143 = 14.14
(Actual value: 14.142)

Example 3: Approximate square root of 300

Nearest perfect square = 289 (172)

sqrt(300) = 17 + (300-289) / (2x17) = 17 + 11/34 = 17 + 0.324 = 17.32
(Actual value: 17.321)

Example 4: Approximate square root of 1000

Nearest perfect square = 961 (312)

sqrt(1000) = 31 + (1000-961) / (2x31) = 31 + 39/62 = 31 + 0.629 = 31.63
(Actual value: 31.623)
PART 5: BCS Exam Strategy

5.1 MCQ Elimination Technique

In BCS, you have 4 options. Using the unit digit rule alone, you can often eliminate 2-3 wrong
options before doing any calculation.

Strategy Example: Square root of 6561 = ? (a) 79 (b) 81 (c) 83 (d) 77

Step 1: Eliminate by unit digit

6561 ends in 1. So root must end in 1 or 9.
Option (c) 83 ends in 3 -> ELIMINATED
Option (d) 77 ends in 7 -> ELIMINATED

Step 2: Choose between 79 and 81

802 = 6400. Since 6561 > 6400, the answer must be > 80.
Answer: (b) 81

Strategy Example: Cube root of 185193 = ? (a) 53 (b) 57 (c) 59 (d) 63

Step 1: Last digit = 3. Cube root must end in 7 (3 swaps with 7)

Option (a) 53 ends in 3 -> ELIMINATED
Option (c) 59 ends in 9 -> ELIMINATED
Option (d) 63 ends in 3 -> ELIMINATED

Only option (b) 57 remains! Answer: 57

(In this case, unit digit alone gave the answer without any calculation!)

5.2 Common BCS Traps

Trap 1: Confusing square root split (2 digits) with cube root split (3 digits)
Always remember: Square = 2 (both have 'qu' sound!), Cube = 3 (cube has 3 letters!)

Trap 2: Forgetting the 2-8 and 3-7 swap in cube roots

The most common mistake. Drill this: if number ends in 2, cube root ends in 8 (not 2!).

Trap 3: Picking the wrong candidate in square roots

After finding two candidates (e.g., 72 or 78), always compare with the middle square. If the number
is LARGER than the middle square, pick the LARGER candidate.
Trap 4: Numbers ending in 2, 3, 7, or 8
These CANNOT be perfect squares. If BCS gives such a number and asks for square root, the
answer involves decimals or the question is about approximation.

Trap 5: Confusing square of 5-ending numbers

152 = 225 (not 215!). The ending is always 25, not 15.

5.3 Time Management

In the BCS math section, you typically get about 45-50 seconds per question. Here is how to
allocate your time for root problems:

Method Time Needed When to Use

Unit digit elimination 3-5 seconds Always do this FIRST

BCS Shortcut 10-15 seconds Perfect squares/cubes (most BCS questions)

Approximate root formula 15-20 seconds When asked for approximate values

Prime factorization 30-60 seconds Only if shortcut fails or for small numbers

Long division 60-90 seconds Avoid in MCQ. Use only in written/descriptive

PART 6: Practice Problems — 30 BCS-Style MCQ
Solve these problems using the shortcut methods. Solutions are provided after each group of
questions. Time yourself — aim for under 15 seconds per question.

Questions 1-5

Q1. sqrt(1296) = ?
(a) 34 (b) 36 (c) 38 (d) 32

Q2. sqrt(3969) = ?
(a) 67 (b) 63 (c) 57 (d) 53

Q3. sqrt(7056) = ?
(a) 82 (b) 84 (c) 86 (d) 88

Q4. sqrt(5184) = ?
(a) 68 (b) 72 (c) 78 (d) 74

Q5. sqrt(9801) = ?
(a) 91 (b) 99 (c) 89 (d) 97

Solutions for Questions 1-5

Q1: (b) — Last digit 6 -> root ends in 4 or 6. Remaining 12 -> between 32=9 and 42=16, take
3. Candidates: 34 or 36. 352=1225. 1296>1225 -> take 36.
Q2: (b) — Last digit 9 -> root ends in 3 or 7. Remaining 39 -> between 62=36 and 72=49, take
6. Candidates: 63 or 67. 652=4225. 3969<4225 -> take 63.
Q3: (b) — Last digit 6 -> root ends in 4 or 6. Remaining 70 -> between 82=64 and 92=81, take
8. Candidates: 84 or 86. 852=7225. 7056<7225 -> take 84.
Q4: (b) — Last digit 4 -> root ends in 2 or 8. Remaining 51 -> between 72=49 and 82=64, take
7. Candidates: 72 or 78. 752=5625. 5184<5625 -> take 72.
Q5: (b) — Last digit 1 -> root ends in 1 or 9. Remaining 98 -> between 92=81 and 102=100,
take 9. Candidates: 91 or 99. 952=9025. 9801>9025 -> take 99.

Questions 6-10

Q6. sqrt(2916) = ?
(a) 52 (b) 54 (c) 56 (d) 58

Q7. sqrt(4624) = ?
(a) 66 (b) 68 (c) 72 (d) Not a perfect square
Q8. sqrt(6241) = ?
(a) 79 (b) 81 (c) 77 (d) 83

Q9. sqrt(8464) = ?
(a) 88 (b) 92 (c) 94 (d) 96

Q10. sqrt(4489) = ?
(a) 63 (b) 67 (c) 69 (d) 73

Solutions for Questions 6-10

Q6: (b) — Last digit 6 -> root ends in 4 or 6. Remaining 29 -> between 52=25 and 62=36, take
5. Candidates: 54 or 56. 552=3025. 2916<3025 -> take 54.
Q7: (d) — 4624: Let's check 682=4624. Actually 682=4624. Wait: 68x68=4624. Let me verify:
68x60=4080, 68x8=544, total=4624. So answer is 68.
Q8: (a) — Last digit 1 -> root ends in 1 or 9. Remaining 62 -> between 72=49 and 82=64, take
7. Candidates: 71 or 79. 752=5625. 6241>5625 -> take 79.
Q9: (b) — Last digit 4 -> root ends in 2 or 8. Remaining 84 -> between 92=81 and 102=100,
take 9. Candidates: 92 or 98. 952=9025. 8464<9025 -> take 92.
Q10: (b) — Last digit 9 -> root ends in 3 or 7. Remaining 44 -> between 62=36 and 72=49,
take 6. Candidates: 63 or 67. 652=4225. 4489>4225 -> take 67.

Questions 11-15

Q11. Cube root of 32768 = ?

(a) 28 (b) 32 (c) 34 (d) 36

Q12. Cube root of 17576 = ?

(a) 24 (b) 28 (c) 26 (d) 22

Q13. Cube root of 9261 = ?

(a) 23 (b) 21 (c) 19 (d) 27

Q14. Cube root of 474552 = ?

(a) 82 (b) 78 (c) 72 (d) 76

Q15. Cube root of 250047 = ?

(a) 67 (b) 63 (c) 57 (d) 53

Solutions for Questions 11-15

 Q11: (b) — Split: 32|768. Last digit 8 -> cube root ends in 2 (swap!). Remaining 32 ->
between 33=27 and 43=64, take 3. Answer: 32.
Q12: (c) — Split: 17|576. Last digit 6 -> cube root ends in 6 (same). Remaining 17 -> between
23=8 and 33=27, take 2. Answer: 26.
Q13: (b) — Split: 9|261. Last digit 1 -> cube root ends in 1 (same). Remaining 9 -> between
23=8 and 33=27, take 2. Answer: 21.
Q14: (b) — Split: 474|552. Last digit 2 -> cube root ends in 8 (swap!). Remaining 474 ->
between 73=343 and 83=512, take 7. Answer: 78.
Q15: (b) — Split: 250|047. Last digit 7 -> cube root ends in 3 (swap!). Remaining 250 ->
between 63=216 and 73=343, take 6. Answer: 63.

Questions 16-20

Q16. Cube root of 103823 = ?

(a) 43 (b) 47 (c) 53 (d) 49

Q17. Cube root of 592704 = ?

(a) 84 (b) 82 (c) 86 (d) 88

Q18. Cube root of 1000 = ?

(a) 10 (b) 100 (c) 31 (d) 32

Q19. Cube root of 3375 = ?

(a) 25 (b) 15 (c) 35 (d) 45

Q20. Cube root of 857375 = ?

(a) 95 (b) 85 (c) 75 (d) 105

Solutions for Questions 16-20

Q16: (b) — Split: 103|823. Last digit 3 -> cube root ends in 7 (swap!). Remaining 103 ->
between 43=64 and 53=125, take 4. Answer: 47.
Q17: (a) — Split: 592|704. Last digit 4 -> cube root ends in 4 (same). Remaining 592 ->
between 83=512 and 93=729, take 8. Answer: 84.
Q18: (a) — Split: 1|000. Last digit 0 -> cube root ends in 0. Remaining 1 = 13 exactly. Answer:
10.
Q19: (b) — Split: 3|375. Last digit 5 -> cube root ends in 5 (same). Remaining 3 -> between
13=1 and 23=8, take 1. Answer: 15.
Q20: (a) — Split: 857|375. Last digit 5 -> cube root ends in 5 (same). Remaining 857 ->
between 93=729 and 103=1000, take 9. Answer: 95.

Questions 21-25
Q21. If x2 = 1849, what is x?
(a) 41 (b) 43 (c) 47 (d) 49

Q22. If x3 = 2744, what is x?

(a) 12 (b) 14 (c) 16 (d) 18

Q23. sqrt(784) + sqrt(324) = ?

(a) 42 (b) 46 (c) 44 (d) 48

Q24. Cube root of 2197 + Cube root of 729 = ?

(a) 20 (b) 22 (c) 24 (d) 26

Q25. sqrt(sqrt(256)) = ?
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 8 (d) 16

Solutions for Questions 21-25

Q21: (b) — sqrt(1849): Last digit 9 -> ends in 3 or 7. Remaining 18 -> between 42=16 and
52=25, take 4. Candidates: 43 or 47. 452=2025. 1849<2025 -> take 43.
Q22: (b) — Cube root of 2744: Split: 2|744. Last digit 4 -> ends in 4 (same). Remaining 2 ->
between 13=1 and 23=8, take 1. Answer: 14.
Q23: (b) — sqrt(784)=28, sqrt(324)=18. Sum = 28+18 = 46.
Q24: (b) — Cube root of 2197 = 13, Cube root of 729 = 9. Sum = 13+9 = 22.
Q25: (b) — sqrt(256) = 16. sqrt(16) = 4. Answer: 4.

Questions 26-30

Q26. What is the smallest perfect square divisible by 12?

(a) 36 (b) 144 (c) 48 (d) 72

Q27. How many perfect squares exist between 100 and 400?
(a) 9 (b) 10 (c) 11 (d) 12

Q28. sqrt(0.0081) = ?
(a) 0.09 (b) 0.9 (c) 0.009 (d) 0.081

Q29. If sqrt(x) = 2.5, then x = ?

(a) 5.25 (b) 6.25 (c) 5.0 (d) 7.25

Q30. Cube root of 0.008 = ?

(a) 0.02 (b) 0.2 (c) 2 (d) 0.002

Solutions for Questions 26-30

Q26: (a) — 12 = 22 x 3. For a perfect square, all prime powers must be even. 22 is already
even, 31 needs one more 3. So 12 x 3 = 36 = 62.
Q27: (a) — sqrt(100)=10 and sqrt(400)=20. Perfect squares from 112 to 192 (not including
100 and 400). That's 11,12,...,19 = 9 numbers.
Q28: (a) — 0.0081 = 81/10000 = 81/104. sqrt = 9/100 = 0.09.
Q29: (b) — x = (2.5)2 = 6.25.
Q30: (b) — 0.008 = 8/1000 = 8/103. Cube root = 2/10 = 0.2.
Quick Reference Card
Print this page and keep it on your desk during study sessions.

SQUARE ROOT SHORTCUT CUBE ROOT SHORTCUT

1. Split last 2 digits 1. Split last 3 digits

2. Last digit -> 2 candidates 2. Last digit -> 1 answer
3. Remaining -> squares table (2<->8 swap, 3<->7 swap)
2
4. Compare with middle 3. Remaining -> cubes table
5. Pick larger/smaller 4. Combine -> DONE!

Example: sqrt(2304) Example: cbrt(474552)

23|04 -> ends 4 -> 2 or 8 474|552 -> ends 2 -> 8
2 2
23 -> 4 =16, 5 =25 -> 4 474 -> 73=343, 83=512 -> 7
42 or 48? 452=2025 Answer: 78
2304>2025 -> 48

Unit Digit Quick Reference:

Last digit 0 1 4 5 6 9

sqrt ends in 0 1/9 2/8 5 4/6 3/7

Last
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
digit

cbrt 0 1 8 7 4 5 6 3 2 9

Squares of Numbers Ending in 5:

152=225 252=625 352=1225 452=2025 552=3025

652=4225 752=5625 852=7225 952=9025

Memory Mantras:
Square root: 'Split 2, Check 2, Pick 1'
Cube root: 'Split 3, Swap or Same, Done!'
Never a perfect square: numbers ending in 2, 3, 7, 8