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 expression to evaluate, which is the square root of 144, written as \(\sqrt{144}\).
2. Recall that the square root of a number \(x\) is a value \(y\) such that \(y^2 = x\).
3. Determine which number squared equals 144 by considering perfect squares close to 144, such as \$10^2 = 100\(, \)12^2 = 144\(, and \)14^2 = 196$.
4. Since \$12^2 = 144$, the square root of 144 is 12.
5. Therefore, \(\sqrt{144} = 12\).