Posted by dolphin@eskimo.com (64.24.214.149) on June 17, 2002 at 02:49:29:
In Reply to: how to square root a number with out the square root sign posted by on June 17, 2002 at 00:50:23:
I don't know for sure what you mean by "if I don't know how to square root"? I'm wondering if you are trying to ask how to determine a square root if you don't know WHAT a square root is.
Do you know the definition of a square root? If you do, then you should be able to determine the square root of nine in your head.
There are some methods for finding square roots that do not require knowing the definition of a square root. Let me know if this is what you want.
Do you know your multiplication tables very well? What number multiplied by itself equals 81?
If you said 9, you're right! That means 9 is the square root of 81. A square root is a number that when multiplied by itself equals the amount underneath the square root sign.
sqrt(1) = 1. You know that because 1 × 1 = 1.
sqrt(4) = 2. You know that because 2 × 2 = 4.
sqrt(9) = 3. You know that because 3 × 3 = 9.
sqrt(16) = 4. You know that because 4 × 4 = 16.
sqrt(25) = 5. You know that because 5 × 5 = 25.
It's that simple.
sqrt(1/4) = 1/2 because 1/2 × 1/2 = 1/4.
sqrt(1/81) = 1/9 because 1/9 × 1/9 = 1/81.
sqrt(121) = 11 because 11 × 11 = 121.
sqrt(49/25) = 7/5 because 7/5 × 7/5 = 49/25.
Do you understand the general idea of WHAT a square root is?
Let us know if you need a different explanation.
~ Mark
PS: If you have Microsoft Windows, then you have a calculator with a square root key.
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