Squares and Square Roots

To start the year in Math we've been exploring the related concepts of square numbers and square roots.  We'll be using this learning as we move forward exploring relationships in triangles.

The learning intentions so far, and the things that students should be able to do include:

-      Explain what an exponent is

-     Explain what a square root is using a visual (array)

-      Identify numbers that are perfect squares to 200

-      Calculate the square of one and two digit numbers in my head or on paper (no calculator)

-      Calculate the square of any number with a calculator

-      Find the square root of perfect squares (without a calculator to 200, with a calculator beyond 200)

-      Estimate the square root of non-perfect square

§  Determine which whole numbers it is between

§  Determine which whole number it is closest to

§  Provide a reasonable estimate to 1 decimal place with reasoning.

We are currently practicing these skills.  It's useful to identify which of these outcomes your confident in, and what ones you still need to practice.  Remember the more confident you become in these skills the more you can challenge yourself by trying to as much of the calculations mentally as you can.

In order to practice these skills we were challenged to create our own questions.  Here the focus is on picking questions that are hard enough to make us think, but not hard enough that we can't finish them.  The following questions are expected to be finished in your book by next week:

1) Choose 7 - 10 numbers (one or two digits) and then square them.  

                                         For example 5 - 5 X 5 = 25.

- Challenge yourself by choosing harder numbers and doing as much mentally as you can.

2) Choose 10 - 15 one, two, or three digit numbers and estimate their square root to one (or two decimal places).  

- Maximum of two will be perfect squares

- Show your reasoning for your estimate