What is the Square Root of 144?

S1-SA1-1225

Grade Level:

Class 5

Maths, Computing, AI

Definition

What is it?

The square root of a number is another number that, when multiplied by itself, gives you the original number. So, the square root of 144 is the number which, when multiplied by itself, equals 144.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have a square cricket ground, and its total area is 100 square meters. To find out the length of one side of the ground, you would find the square root of 100. Since 10 multiplied by 10 is 100, the side length is 10 meters. Similarly, for 144, we are looking for a number that multiplies by itself to make 144.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the square root of 144.

1. We need to find a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives us 144.
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2. Let's try some whole numbers. We know 10 x 10 = 100. This is too small.
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3. Let's try a slightly bigger number, like 11. 11 x 11 = 121. Still too small.
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4. Let's try 12. 12 x 12 = 144.
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5. Yes! We found it. The number is 12.
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6. So, the square root of 144 is 12.

Answer: 12

Why It Matters

Understanding square roots is super important for many fields! In computing, it helps with graphics and game development to calculate distances. AI uses it in complex calculations for machine learning models. Engineers and architects use it to design buildings and bridges safely.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking the square root of 144 is 144 / 2 = 72. | CORRECTION: The square root is not half the number; it's the number that multiplies by ITSELF to get the original number.

MISTAKE: Confusing square root with squaring a number (e.g., thinking 12 squared is the square root of 144). | CORRECTION: Squaring means multiplying a number by itself (12 squared is 12x12=144). The square root is the reverse operation.

MISTAKE: Forgetting that a negative number multiplied by itself also gives a positive number (e.g., (-12) x (-12) = 144). | CORRECTION: For Class 5, we usually focus on the positive (principal) square root. Later, you'll learn about both positive and negative roots.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: What is the square root of 25? | ANSWER: 5

QUESTION: A square photo frame has an area of 81 square centimeters. What is the length of one side of the frame? | ANSWER: 9 centimeters

QUESTION: If a square garden has a perimeter of 48 meters, what is the length of one side, and what is the area of the garden? (Hint: First find the side length from the perimeter, then find the area.) | ANSWER: Side length = 12 meters, Area = 144 square meters

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these numbers, when multiplied by itself, gives 144?

The Correct Answer Is:

Option B, 12, is correct because 12 multiplied by 12 equals 144. The other options do not multiply by themselves to give 144.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you're designing a rangoli pattern on the floor for Diwali, and you want to make a perfect square design with a certain area, you'd use square roots to figure out how long each side needs to be. For example, if you want a 144 square cm rangoli, each side would be 12 cm.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

SQUARE ROOT: A number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number | SQUARING: Multiplying a number by itself (e.g., 5 squared is 5x5=25) | AREA: The amount of surface covered by a flat shape, measured in square units | PERIMETER: The total distance around the edge of a shape

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding square roots! Next, you can explore 'perfect squares' to easily identify numbers with whole number square roots. Then, you can move on to 'cube roots', which are a similar concept but involve multiplying a number by itself three times.