105 LearnersLast updated on May 26th, 2025
Square Root of 5.5
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 5.5.
What is the Square Root of 5.5?
The square root is the inverse of the square of the number. 5.5 is not a perfect square. The square root of 5.5 is expressed in both radical and exponential form. In radical form, it is expressed as √5.5, whereas (5.5)^(1/2) in exponential form. √5.5 ≈ 2.345, 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 5.5
The prime factorization method is used for perfect square numbers. However, the prime factorization method is not used for non-perfect square numbers where the long-division method and approximation method are used. Let us now learn the following methods:
- Prime factorization method
- Long division method
- Approximation method
Square Root of 5.5 by Prime Factorization Method
The product of prime factors is the prime factorization of a number. Since 5.5 is not an integer, it cannot be directly prime factorized. Thus, the prime factorization method is not applicable for 5.5. Instead, we can estimate the square root using other methods.
Square Root of 5.5 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: Start by placing the number 5.5 under the long division symbol.
Step 2: Estimate a number whose square is less than or equal to the first digit of the number under the division bar. Here, 2^2 = 4 is less than 5.
Step 3: Subtract 4 from 5 and bring down the decimal and the next digit, 5, to make it 15.0.
Step 4: Double the divisor and find a digit 'x' such that 2x multiplied by 2 gives a number less than or equal to 15. The number is 2. Hence, the new divisor is 24.
Step 5: Place a decimal in the quotient and continue the process to find the decimal places of the square root.
Continuing gives approximately 2.345 as the square root.
Square Root of 5.5 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 5.5 using the approximation method.
Step 1: Identify the perfect squares around 5.5. 4 and 9 are the perfect squares around 5.5. √4 = 2 and √9 = 3.
Step 2: Since 5.5 is closer to 4, start by estimating around 2. The difference between 5.5 and 4 is 1.5.
Step 3: Use the formula (Given number - smaller perfect square) / (Larger perfect square - smaller perfect square) to find the decimal part: (5.5 - 4) / (9 - 4) = 0.3.
Step 4: Add the decimal to the smaller root, 2 + 0.3 = 2.3.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in the Square Root of 5.5
Students do make mistakes while finding the square root, such as forgetting about the negative square root or skipping the 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 typically consider only the principal (positive) square root, as it is the required one for most applications.
Square Root of 5.5 Examples
Problem 1
Can you help Max find the area of a square box if its side length is given as √5.5?
The area of the square is approximately 5.5 square units.
Explanation
The area of the square = side^2.
The side length is given as √5.5.
Area of the square = side^2 = √5.5 × √5.5 = 5.5.
Therefore, the area of the square box is approximately 5.5 square units.
Problem 2
A square-shaped garden measures 5.5 square meters; if each of the sides is √5.5, what will be the square meters of half of the garden?
2.75 square meters
Explanation
We can just divide the given area by 2 as the garden is square-shaped.
Dividing 5.5 by 2 = 2.75.
So half of the garden measures 2.75 square meters.
Problem 3
Calculate √5.5 × 5.
Approximately 11.725.
Explanation
The first step is to find the square root of 5.5, which is approximately 2.345.
The second step is to multiply 2.345 by 5.
So, 2.345 × 5 ≈ 11.725.
Problem 4
What will be the square root of (5.5 + 0.5)?
The square root is approximately 2.45.
Explanation
To find the square root, we need to find the sum of (5.5 + 0.5) = 6.
The square root of 6 is approximately 2.45.
Problem 5
Find the perimeter of the rectangle if its length ‘l’ is √5.5 units and the width ‘w’ is 3 units.
The perimeter of the rectangle is approximately 10.69 units.
Explanation
Perimeter of the rectangle = 2 × (length + width).
Perimeter = 2 × (√5.5 + 3) = 2 × (2.345 + 3) ≈ 2 × 5.345 = 10.69 units.
FAQ on Square Root of 5.5
1.What is √5.5 in its simplest form?
2.Mention the factors of 5.5.
3.Calculate the square of 5.5.
4.Is 5.5 a prime number?
5.5.5 is divisible by?
Important Glossaries for the Square Root of 5.5
- Square root: A square root is the inverse of a square. Example: 4^2 = 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.
- Decimal number: A decimal number is a number that has a whole number and a fractional part separated by a decimal point, for example, 5.5.
- Principal square root: A number has both positive and negative square roots; however, the positive square root, known as the principal square root, is more commonly used.
- Approximation: The process of finding a value that is close enough to the right answer, usually within an acceptable error range.
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Jaskaran Singh Saluja
About the Author
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.
Fun Fact
: He loves to play the quiz with kids through algebra to make kids love it.
