Perfect Squares and Roots

Perfect Squares and Roots



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Knowing the perfect squares and roots will make many of the questions on the GED Math test easier.

 

A perfect square is any integer multiplied by itself. For example, the square of 2 is 2 × 2 = 4. The square of 4 is 4 × 4 = 16.

 

On the GED Math test, you can use your calculator to find the square of a given number. Simply press the x2 button followed by the number you want to square.

 

The square root of a given number is the value that, if multiplied by itself, would produce that given number. For example, the square root of 4 is 2, because 2 × 2 = 4. The square root of 9 is 3, because 3 × 3 = 9.

 

If you are using a calculator, as you can on the GED Math test, you can find the square root of a number by pressing the 2nd button to access the commands above the normal buttons, and then pressing the button (it is typically above the x2 button).

 

If you are not using a calculator, you may need to use some trial and error to find a square root. For instance, if you are looking for the square root of 144, you might start by finding the square of 11: 11 × 11 = 121. That's close but too low, so you could then try 12 × 12, which does equal 144. Well done!

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