MATHEMATICS - FORM 2

SQUARES, SQUARE
ROOTS, CUBES AND CUBE
ROOTS

SQUARES OF NUMBERS
(A) Stating the square of a number
1. The square of number is a product of the number multiplied by itself.

2. The square of a number can be written either in the expanded form or the index
form (with the square notation ( 2 )).
For example :

3. The square of any number is always positive.

For example:

4. The square of a number can be read in several ways.

For example :
242 is read as
(i) twenty-four to the power of two
(ii) twenty-four squared
(iii) the square of twenty-four

5. a² is an index form for a x a and is not equal to a x 2.

For example :
(B) Determining the squares of numbers without using a calculator
1. The value of the square of a number can be obtained by multiplying the number by itself.
For example,
2. The number of decimal places (d.p) in the square of a decimals is twice the number
of decimal places of the decimal being squared.
For example :

3. A mixed number has to be changed to an improper fraction before squaring.

For example :
(C) Estimating the squares of numbers

There are two methods that can be used to estimate the squares of numbers.

Method 1: By approximation

Round off the number to the nearest whole number or to one decimal point that
can be easily squared.
For example:
Method 2: By determaining the range

The square of a number can be estimated by stating it between two values that
can be easily squared.

(D) Determining the squares of numbers using a calculator

1. To determine the square of a number by using a calculator, press the number
keys followed by the X2 key on the calculator.

2. Different models of calculators have different buttons for squaring a number.

For example:

3. By pressing a number, then Xfollowed by pressing the number again, we can

also determine the square of the number.
For example:
4. There are other function keys that will be used to determine the squares of
the directed numbers.

5. For square values that exceed 10 digits, the reading on a calculator is an

approximation.
(E) Listing perfect squares

Perfect square is the product of a whole number multiplied by itself.

(F) Determining if a number is a perfect square

1. A number is a perfect square if it is a product of the same two whole

numbers.
2. To determine whether a number is a perfect square, find all its prime factors
and then pair up all the same factors.

3. Perfect squares are whole numbers. Thus, decimals and fractions are not
perfect squares.

(G) Solving problems involving squares of numbers

SQUARE ROOTS OF NUMBERS

(A) Writing the Square Roots of a Positive Number

(B) Determining the Square Roots of Perfect Squares Without Using a
Calculator

Finding the square root of a number is the inverse process (opposite) of squaring.
(C) Determining the Square Roots of Positive Numbers Without Using a
Calculator

The square root of a fraction is computed by finding the square root of the
numerator and the denominator.
Example :

Some fractions are reduced to lowest terms in order to find their square roots.
Example :

To find the square root of a mixed number, change it to an improper fraction

first.
Example :

The square root of a decimal can be found by changing the decimal to a fraction
and then finding the square root of its numerator and denominator.
Example :
(D) Multiplying Two Square Roots

The product of two square roots of the same number will produce the number
itself.

Example :

The product of two square roots of two different numbers can be found by
multiplying the two numbers first and then finding its square root.

Example :
(E) Estimating the Square Roots of Numbers

Method 1 : Estimating to the Nearest Value

Round off the given number to the nearest whole number from which the square
root can be found easily.

Method 2 : Stating the Square Root of a Number Between Two Values

Determining the range of the square root of a number
The square root of a number can be estimated between two values (the range),
from which the square root can be found easily.

(F) Finding the Square Roots of Numbers Using a Scientific Calculator

(G) Solving Problems Involving Squares and Square Roots
CUBES OF NUMBERS

(A) Stating the cube of a number

1. The cube of a number is the product of the number multiplied by itself twice.

2. The symbol of cube is ' ³ '. The cube can be represented in two ways, that are
the expanded form and the index form.
For example :
3. The cube of numbers can be read in several ways.
For example :

5 ³ is read as
(i) five cubed
(ii) five to the power of three
(iii) the cube of five

(B) Determining cubes of numbers without using a calculator

1. The value of a cubed number can be obtained by multiplying the given

number by itself twice. For example :

(- 6)³ = - 6 x ( - 6)x(-6)
= 36 x ( - 6 )
= - 216

2. The cube value of a positve number always positive.

3. The cube value of a negative number always negative.

(C) Estimating the cubes of numbers

Like the square and square root, we can estimate the cube of a number by
approximation or by determining the range where the value of the cube lies.
(D) Determining the cubes of numbers using a calculator

To obtain the cube of a given number using a calculator, press the given number
followed by :
(E) Solving problems involving cubes of numbers

CUBE ROOTS OF NUMBERS

(A) Writing the Cube Root of a Number

The cube root of any given number is the number that, when multiplied by itself
twice, is equal to the given number.
(B) Estimating the Cube Roots of Numbers

Method 1: Estimating to the Nearest Value

Method 2: Stating the Cube Root of a Number Between Two Values

Determining the range of the cube root of a number.
(C) Determining the Cube Roots of Integers Without Using a Calculator

(D) Determining the Cube Roots of Numbers Without Using a Calculator

(E) Determining the Cube Roots of Numbers Using a Calculator

(F) Solving Problems Involving Cubes and Cube Roots

(G) Computations Involving Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication,
Division and Mixed Operations on Squares, Square Roots, Cubes and
Cube Roots

When performing mixed operations on squares, square roots, cubes and cube roots,
follow the order of operations as below.

(a) Carry out the operations in the brackets [( )] first.

(b) Next, multiply or divide; calculating from left to right.

(c) Finally, add or subtract; again calculating from left to right.

copyright © 2005 Kenshido International Sdn Bhd