120 LearnersLast updated on May 26th, 2025
Square Root of 480
If a number is multiplied by the same number, the result is a square. The inverse of the square is a square root. The square root is used in the field of vehicle design, finance, etc. Here, we will discuss the square root of 480.
What is the Square Root of 480?
The square root is the inverse of the square of the number. 480 is not a perfect square. The square root of 480 is expressed in both radical and exponential form.
In the radical form, it is expressed as √480, whereas (480)(1/2) in the exponential form. √480 ≈ 21.9089, which is an irrational number because it cannot be expressed in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers, and q ≠ 0.
Finding the Square Root of 480
The prime factorization method is used for perfect square numbers. However, the prime factorization method is not used for non-perfect square numbers where long division and approximation methods are used. Let us now learn the following methods:
- Prime factorization method
- Long division method
- Approximation method
Square Root of 480 by Prime Factorization Method
The product of prime factors is the prime factorization of a number. Now let us look at how 480 is broken down into its prime factors.
Step 1: Finding the prime factors of 480
Breaking it down, we get 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 5: 25 × 31 × 51
Step 2: Now we found out the prime factors of 480. The second step is to make pairs of those prime factors. Since 480 is not a perfect square, therefore the digits of the number can’t be grouped in pairs.
Therefore, calculating 480 using prime factorization is incomplete.
Square Root of 480 by Long Division Method
The long division method is particularly used for non-perfect square numbers. In this method, we should check the closest perfect square number for the given number. Let us now learn how to find the square root using the long division method, step by step.
Step 1: To begin with, we need to group the numbers from right to left. In the case of 480, we need to group it as 80 and 4.
Step 2: Now we need to find n whose square is 4. We can say n as ‘2’ because 2 × 2 is lesser than or equal to 4. Now the quotient is 2, and after subtracting 4-4, the remainder is 0.
Step 3: Now let us bring down 80, which is the new dividend. Add the old divisor with the same number: 2 + 2, we get 4, which will be our new divisor.
Step 4: The new divisor will be the sum of the dividend and quotient. Now we get 4n as the new divisor, we need to find the value of n.
Step 5: The next step is finding 4n × n ≤ 80. Let us consider n as 5, now 4 × 5 × 5 = 100, which is too large. Consider n as 4, now 4 × 4 × 4 = 64.
Step 6: Subtract 80 from 64, the difference is 16, and the quotient is 24.
Step 7: Since the dividend is less than the divisor, we need to add a decimal point. Adding the decimal point allows us to add two zeroes to the dividend. Now the new dividend is 1600.
Step 8: Now we need to find the new divisor. We use 48 because 484 × 4 = 1936, which is too large. So we use 47 because 474 × 3 = 1422.
Step 9: Subtracting 1422 from 1600 we get the result 178.
Step 10: Now the quotient is 21.9
Step 11: Continue doing these steps until we get two numbers after the decimal point. Suppose if there is no decimal value, continue till the remainder is zero.
So the square root of √480 is approximately 21.91.
Square Root of 480 by Approximation Method
The approximation method is another method for finding square roots. It is an easy method to find the square root of a given number. Now let us learn how to find the square root of 480 using the approximation method.
Step 1: Now we have to find the closest perfect squares of √480. The smallest perfect square less than 480 is 441 and the largest perfect square greater than 480 is 484. √480 falls somewhere between 21 and 22.
Step 2: Now we need to apply the formula that is (Given number - smallest perfect square) ÷ (Greater perfect square - smallest perfect square). Going by the formula (480 - 441) ÷ (484 - 441) = 39 ÷ 43 ≈ 0.907
Using the formula, we identified the decimal point of our square root.
The next step is adding the value we got initially to the decimal number, which is 21 + 0.907 = 21.907, so the approximate square root of 480 is 21.907.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in the Square Root of 480
Students do make mistakes while finding the square root, like forgetting about the negative square root or skipping long division methods. Now let us look at a few of those mistakes that students tend to make in detail.
Mistake 1
Forgetting about the negative square root
It is important to make students aware that a number does have both positive and negative square roots. However, we will be taking only the positive square root, as it is the required one.
For example: √50 = 7.07, there is also -7.07, which should not be forgotten.
Mistake 2
Not adding the square root symbol in proper places
Not using the square root properly is another mistake that children make. To resolve this, we need to teach children that simplifying the numbers inside the square root is important, and then move on to the second step.
For example: √(12 + 24) = √12 + √24 is the wrong method of using roots. The right way of using roots is √(12 + 24) = √36.
Mistake 3
Not finding the correct value of a non-perfect square
The first step that needs to be taught to children is to simplify the numbers inside the square root. This is important so that students do not make mistakes while identifying the approximate value.
For example: √50 = 7 is wrong, the correct answer is √50 ≈ 7.071067.
Mistake 4
Confusing the square root symbol with the cube root
Students need to be taught the difference between cube root and square root constantly, as this will help them avoid mistakes.
For example: √50 and ∛50 are different.
Mistake 5
Making mistakes in long division
Finding a square root using the long division method involves many steps. Due to this, many students might skip a step accidentally, which results in a wrong answer at the end of the sum. This may either happen in subtracting or elsewhere.
Square Root of 480 Examples
Problem 1
Can you help Max find the area of a square box if its side length is given as √480?
The area of the square is approximately 480 square units.
Explanation
The area of the square = side².
The side length is given as √480.
Area of the square = side² = √480 × √480 = 480.
Therefore, the area of the square box is approximately 480 square units.
Problem 2
A square-shaped building measuring 480 square feet is built; if each of the sides is √480, what will be the square feet of half of the building?
240 square feet
Explanation
We can just divide the given area by 2 as the building is square-shaped.
Dividing 480 by 2, we get 240.
So half of the building measures 240 square feet.
Problem 3
Calculate √480 × 5.
Approximately 109.54
Explanation
The first step is to find the square root of 480, which is approximately 21.91.
The second step is to multiply 21.91 by 5. So 21.91 × 5 ≈ 109.54.
Problem 4
What will be the square root of (450 + 30)?
The square root is 22.
Explanation
To find the square root, we need to find the sum of (450 + 30). 450 + 30 = 480, and then √480 ≈ 21.91.
Therefore, the square root of (450 + 30) is approximately 21.91.
Problem 5
Find the perimeter of the rectangle if its length 'l' is √480 units and the width 'w' is 40 units.
We find the perimeter of the rectangle as approximately 125.82 units.
Explanation
Perimeter of the rectangle = 2 × (length + width)
Perimeter = 2 × (√480 + 40) = 2 × (21.91 + 40) ≈ 2 × 61.91 ≈ 123.82 units.
FAQ on Square Root of 480
1.What is √480 in its simplest form?
2.Mention the factors of 480.
3.Calculate the square of 480.
4.Is 480 a prime number?
5.480 is divisible by?
6.How does learning Algebra help students in Australia make better decisions in daily life?
7.How can cultural or local activities in Australia support learning Algebra topics such as Square Root of 480?
8.How do technology and digital tools in Australia support learning Algebra and Square Root of 480?
9.Does learning Algebra support future career opportunities for students in Australia?
Important Glossaries for the Square Root of 480
- Square root: A square root is the inverse of a square. Example: 4² = 16, and the inverse of the square is the square root, that is, √16 = 4.
- Irrational number: An irrational number is a number that cannot be written in the form of p/q, where q is not equal to zero and p and q are integers.
- Principal square root: A number has both positive and negative square roots; however, it is always the positive square root that has more prominence due to its uses in the real world. That is the reason it is also known as the principal square root.
- Prime factorization: The prime factorization of a number is the expression of the number as a product of its prime factors. Example: 12 = 2 × 2 × 3.
- Long division method: A method for finding the square root of a number by dividing and using a series of steps to find the square root to a desired degree of accuracy.
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Jaskaran Singh Saluja
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Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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