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: the square root of 144, written as \(\sqrt{144}\).
2. Recall that the square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number.
3. Recognize that 144 is a perfect square because it can be expressed as \(12 \times 12\).
4. Therefore, rewrite the square root as \(\sqrt{12 \times 12}\) to see the relationship clearly.
5. Use the property of square roots that \(\sqrt{a \times a} = a\) to simplify \(\sqrt{12 \times 12}\) to 12.