Evaluate the following square root.
$\sqrt{144}$

• A. $10$
• B. $14$
• C. $12$
• D. $16$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the problem: You need to evaluate the square root of 144, which is written as \(\sqrt{144}\).
2. Recall the definition of a square root: The square root of a number \(a\) is a value \(b\) such that \(b^2 = a\).
3. Find a number that, when multiplied by itself, equals 144. In other words, find \(b\) such that \(b \times b = 144\).
4. Consider perfect squares close to 144, such as \$10^2 = 100\(, \)12^2 = 144\(, and \)14^2 = 196$, to help identify the correct value.
5. Conclude that since \$12^2 = 144\(, the square root of 144 is 12, so \)\sqrt{144} = 12$.