Understanding Irrational Numbers
Ever wondered about numbers that go on forever without repeating? Those are irrational numbers! Unlike rational numbers (which can be written as fractions), irrational numbers can't be expressed as the ratio of two integers.
When you square a number (multiply it by itself), you get a perfect square. For example, 9 is a perfect square because 3² = 9. Similarly, a perfect cube happens when you multiply a number by itself three times, like 8 = 2³.
The square root of a number is what you multiply by itself to get that number. If you need to find √25, ask yourself "what number multiplied by itself equals 25?" Since 5 × 5 = 25, √25 = 5.
💡 Memorizing common perfect squares can save you tons of time! The perfect squares from 1-15 include: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144, 169, 196, and 225.