Solving 72 = 6^2: What is the Technique?

  • Thread starter streetmeat
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In summary, the technique used to solve the equation 72 = 6^2 is called "taking the square root". The square root is taken because it is the inverse operation of squaring a number, and it allows us to find the original value of 6 before it was squared. In this equation, the number inside the parentheses is the one that should be taken the square root of. The result of taking the square root of 6^2 is the original value of 6. This technique can be used for other equations where a number is being squared, but it may not always result in a whole number as the answer.
  • #1
streetmeat
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quick question:

how does this work- (root)72 = 6(root)2

and what is this technique called?
 
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  • #2
To simplify squareroots one writes the argument as a product, one of which is a square number. So, [itex]\sqrt{72}=\sqrt{36\times 2}=\sqrt{36}\sqrt{2}=6\sqrt{2}[/itex]

The technique I guess would be called simplifying a square root.
 
  • #3
Square roots of integers are often labelled 'surds' in textbooks.
 

1. What is the technique used to solve the equation 72 = 6^2?

The technique used to solve this equation is called "taking the square root".

2. Why is the square root taken when solving this equation?

The square root is taken because it is the inverse operation of squaring a number, which is what was done to 6 in the equation. Taking the square root allows us to find the original value of 6 before it was squared.

3. How do you know which number to take the square root of?

In this equation, the number inside the parentheses is the one that should be taken the square root of. In other words, the number that is being squared.

4. What is the result of taking the square root of 6^2?

The result is the original value of 6 before it was squared, which is 6.

5. Can this technique be used for other equations?

Yes, taking the square root can be used to solve other equations where a number is being squared. However, it may not always result in a whole number as the answer.

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