Square roots
Square roots
Finding a square root of a number is the opposite of squaring a number.
2
Squaring a number means multiplying the number by itself. For example, 4 (read as
"four squared") means 4 4.
2
4 = 4 4 = 16
Finding the square root of a number is the opposite. A square root of a number is a
number you can square to get the original number. For example, a square root of 16 is
2
4, because 4 = 16. You can show a square root with the symbol √.
16 = 4
Fun Fact
When you square a whole number, you get a number called a perfect square.
For example, 16, 25, and 36 are all perfect squares. Their square roots are whole
numbers.
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Square roots
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Square roots of perfect squares 9RS
Squaring negative numbers
You can also square negative numbers. Multiply the negative number by itself.
For example, you can square –5. Remember that a negative times a negative is a
positive.
2
(–5) = (–5) (–5) = 25
2
So, (–5) = 25.
2
Note that since (–5) = 25, then –5 is a square root of 25.
Finding square roots
To find the square roots of a number, find the values that you could square to get that
number. There are two square roots for every positive number: one positive and one
negative.
Let's try it! Find the square roots of 36.
There are two values that you can square to get 36.
2
6 = 36
2
(–6) = 36
So, the square roots of 36 are 6 and –6. You can write this as ±6. This is read as "plus
or minus 6."
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Square roots
Radicals
The symbol for square root is √. It is called a radical symbol. The number or expression
under the radical symbol is called the radicand. In this example, 36 is the radicand.
36
If you see the radical symbol, find the positive square root, also known as the principal
square root.
36 = 6
If you need to find the negative square root, there will be a negative sign in front of
the radical.
– 36 = –6
Go to IXL to try some practice problems!
Positive and negative square roots 8TF
Approximating square roots
You can approximate square roots for numbers that are not perfect squares. Use what
you know about perfect squares to help!
Let's try it. Approximate 32 by finding the two decimals to the hundredths place that
32 is between.
The number 32 is not a perfect square, so find the two perfect squares that are nearest
to 32. The nearest perfect square that is less than 32 is 25, and the nearest perfect
square that is greater than 32 is 36.
25 = 5
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Square roots
32 = ?
36 = 6
Since 25 = 5 and 36 = 6, then 32 must be between 5 and 6. So, pick a value
between 5 and 6, and square it. Square 5.5.
2
5.5 = 30.25
2
Since 5.5 is less than 32, a square root of 5.5 is too small. Try a larger value. Square
5.6.
2
5.6 = 31.36
2
Since 5.6 is less than 32, a square root of 5.6 is still too small. Try a larger value.
Square 5.7.
2
5.7 = 32.49
2
Since 5.7 is greater than 32, a square root of 5.7 is too big. Since a square root of 5.6
is too small and a square root of 5.7 is too big, 32 must be between 5.6 and 5.7. So,
pick a value between 5.6 and 5.7, and square it. Square 5.65.
2
5.65 = 31.9225
2
Since 5.65 is less than 32, a square root of 5.65 is too small. Square 5.66.
2
5.66 = 32.0356
2
Since 5.66 is greater than 32, a square root of 5.66 is too big.
A square root of 5.65 is too small and a square root of 5.66 is too big. So, 32 must
be between 5.65 and 5.66.
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Square roots
Go to IXL to try some practice problems!
Estimate positive square roots XWJ
Visit IXL for more related skills and lessons!
Skills Lessons
Square roots of perfect squares 9RS Square numbers
Estimate positive square roots XWJ Cube roots
Positive and negative square roots 8TF
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