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625 LearnersLast updated on August 5, 2025

The square root is the inverse of the square of the number. 1.6 is not a perfect square. The square root of 1.6 is expressed in both radical and exponential form. In the radical form, it is expressed as √1.6, whereas (1.6)^(1/2) in the exponential form. √1.6 ≈ 1.26491, 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.
The prime factorization method is typically used for perfect square numbers. However, for non-perfect square numbers like 1.6, the long division method and approximation method are used. Let us now learn the following methods:
The long division method is particularly used for non-perfect square numbers. This method involves finding the square root step by step. Let us now learn how to find the square root of 1.6 using the long division method:
Step 1: Begin by pairing digits from right to left. In the case of 1.6, consider it as 1.6000 to facilitate the division.
Step 2: Find a number whose square is less than or equal to 1. The number is 1, because 1 × 1 = 1.
Step 3: Subtract 1 from 1, the remainder is 0. Bring down the next pair of digits, which is 60.
Step 4: Double the divisor (1), which gives 2, and use it as the new divisor. Set the next digit of the quotient as n so that 2n × n ≤ 60.
Step 5: Determine n by trial and error. Here, n is 2, because 22 × 2 = 44.
Step 6: Subtract 44 from 60, the remainder is 16. Bring down the next pair of digits, making it 1600.
Step 7: Double the current quotient (12) to get 24, and use it as the new divisor. Determine n such that 24n × n ≤ 1600. Here, n is 6, because 246 × 6 = 1476.
Step 8: Subtract 1476 from 1600, leaving a remainder of 124.
Step 9: Continue this process to achieve the desired precision.
The approximate square root of 1.6 is 1.26491.


The approximation method is a simple way to find the square root of a given number. Here’s how to find the square root of 1.6 using this method:
Step 1: Identify the perfect squares closest to 1.6. The smallest perfect square less than 1.6 is 1 (√1 = 1) and the largest perfect square greater than 1.6 is 4 (√4 = 2).
Step 2: Recognize that √1.6 is between 1 and 2.
Step 3: Use interpolation to approximate. The value of √1.6 is closer to 1 than to 2. A rough estimate gives √1.6 ≈ 1.26491.
Students often make mistakes while finding the square root, such as forgetting about the negative square root, skipping long division steps, etc. Let us look at a few common mistakes in detail.
Can you help Max find the area of a square box if its side length is given as √1.8?
The area of the square is 3.24 square units.
The area of the square = side².
The side length is given as √1.8.
Area of the square = (√1.8)² = 1.8.
Therefore, the area of the square box is 3.24 square units.
A square-shaped plot measuring 1.6 square meters is built. If each of the sides is √1.6, what will be the square meters of half of the plot?
0.8 square meters
We can divide the given area by 2 as the plot is square-shaped.
Dividing 1.6 by 2, we get 0.8.
So half of the plot measures 0.8 square meters.
Calculate √1.6 × 5.
6.32455
First, find the square root of 1.6, which is approximately 1.26491.
Then multiply 1.26491 by 5. So, 1.26491 × 5 ≈ 6.32455.
What will be the square root of (1.4 + 0.2)?
The square root is 1.2.
Find the sum of (1.4 + 0.2), which equals 1.6.
Therefore, the square root of 1.6 is approximately ±1.26491.
Find the perimeter of the rectangle if its length ‘l’ is √1.8 units and the width ‘w’ is 3.8 units.
The perimeter of the rectangle is approximately 10.528 units.
Perimeter of the rectangle = 2 × (length + width).
Perimeter = 2 × (√1.8 + 3.8)
≈ 2 × (1.34 + 3.8)
≈ 10.528 units.

Vikrant Sharma 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.
: He loves to play the quiz with kids through algebra to make kids love it.
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