Keeli was asked to approximate the square root of 38 to the nearest whole number.

Her work is shown here. Analyze her work, describing what she did correctly and what she did incorrectly. Provide the correct approximation, showing and explaining your work.

38 is between the two perfect squares 36 and 64.

38 is closer to 36than it is to 64.

So Square root of 38 is approximately equal to 6.

Question

Keeli was asked to approximate the square root of 38 to the nearest whole number.

Her work is shown here. Analyze her work, describing what she did correctly and what she did incorrectly. Provide the correct approximation, showing and explaining your work.

38 is between the two perfect squares 36 and 64.

38 is closer to 36than it is to 64.

So Square root of 38 is approximately equal to 6.

anonymous · Answer

First, she forgot about the perfect square 49... 

Second, she is assuming that square roots are linear in fashion so the closer it is to a perfect square, the close the root is as well. 

Third, she shouldn't use "38=6" but rather
√38=6 or -6