Perfect Square Integers
Lesson Features »
Lesson Priority: Normal
Algebra One $\longrightarrow$
Radical Expressions and Roots $\longrightarrow$
Objectives
- Recall what we know so far about square roots from Pre-Algebra
- Remember what rational vs irrational numbers are, and know when square roots are one or the other
- Know what perfect square integers are
- Be able to quickly generate and identify perfect square integers
- Be familiar with the square roots of the common perfect square integers
Square roots are a common operation that we probably didn't need much before now. Here we'll make sure we understand exactly what roots are, and that when a square root of a number is rational, it is because the number was what we call a "perfect square". In addition to helping us better understand what square roots are, this lesson will help us better understand where perfect square integers come from, and how we can quickly generate a list of them.
Practice problems and worksheet coming soon!
Square Roots So Far
In Pre-Algebra we get a small introduction » to what square roots are.Let's face it - square roots do not have a reputation for being students' favorite part of Algebra, because they seem so fundamentally different from arithmetic-style operations we learn and seem to have their own set of rules.The best thing you can do is to help ground yourself and remember conceptually what square roots are.Pro Tip
In Pre-Algebra, we said that taking a square root is the opposite operation of squaring a number. If you have trouble understanding the nature of square roots, I strongly recommend using this definition to help you.Rational vs. Irrational
Though this is something that gets discussed on and off, let's quickly remember what rational and irrational mean.A rational number is any number that can be expressed as a fraction of whole numbers. This includes whole numbers themselves, e.g. $5$ is a rational number because$$5 = \frac{5}{1}$$Irrational numbers on the other hand cannot be expressed as a fraction. When equipped with a calculator, the tell-tale sign that a result is irrational is that the decimal does not have a pattern in it.Knowing Perfect Squares
As we said, any real number is either rational or irrational. When you encounter irrational numbers in mathematics, you'll most commonly see square roots (or other roots) involved, because the square root of any integer is irrational if that integer is not a perfect square.I Used To Know That!
In Pre-Algebra, we defined perfect square integers as the result of squaring any integer. These are the only integers that have rational square roots.- How to generate and recognize whether an integer is a perfect square or not
- What the square roots of the first $25$ or so integers are
Put It To The Test
Show solution
$\blacktriangleright$ If you are familiar with the list of perfect squares, this could be a memory game for you. Otherwise, just generate the complete list of perfect square integers until you reach a large enough number that you know you've checked everything on this list.You should have determined that $49$, $121$, $169$, and $289$ are each perfect squares, and their respective square roots are $7$, $11$, $13$, and $17$.
- Continue to gain comfortability with what square roots are
- Remember that integers either have integer square roots or irrational ones
- Know which integers do and do not have rational square roots
- Know how to generate and recognize the integers that have integer square roots
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