Perfect Squares and Roots
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!