114 LearnersLast updated on May 26th, 2025
Square Root of 1/4
If a number is multiplied by itself, the result is a square. The inverse of the square is a square root. The square root is used in various fields such as vehicle design, finance, etc. Here, we will discuss the square root of 1/4.
What is the Square Root of 1/4?
The square root is the inverse of the square of a number. 1/4 is a perfect square. The square root of 1/4 is expressed in both radical and exponential form. In the radical form, it is expressed as √(1/4), whereas (1/4)^(1/2) in the exponential form. √(1/4) = 1/2, which is a rational number because it can be expressed in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0.
Finding the Square Root of 1/4
The process of finding square roots can vary depending on whether the number is a perfect square or not. For 1/4, which is a perfect square, simple arithmetic can be used. Let us now explore the following methods:
- Arithmetic method
- Prime factorization method
- Long division method
Square Root of 1/4 by Arithmetic Method
Since 1/4 is a perfect square, we can find its square root using simple arithmetic. The square root of a fraction is the square root of the numerator divided by the square root of the denominator.
Step 1: The numerator is 1, and the square root of 1 is 1.
Step 2: The denominator is 4, and the square root of 4 is 2.
Step 3: Therefore, the square root of 1/4 is 1/2.
Square Root of 1/4 by Prime Factorization Method
The prime factorization method can be used to understand the structure of a number, even though it is not necessary for simple fractions like 1/4.
Step 1: The prime factorization of 1 is trivial as it is self-contained, and 4 can be expressed as 2 x 2.
Step 2: To find the square root, we pair the prime factors of the denominator. Since 4 = 2 x 2, its square root is 2.
Step 3: The square root of 1 is 1, so the square root of 1/4 is 1/2.
Square Root of 1/4 by Long Division Method
While the long division method is typically used for more complex numbers, it can also be applied here to illustrate the process.
Step 1: The fraction 1/4 can be converted to a decimal, 0.25.
Step 2: Use the long division method to find the square root of 0.25.
Step 3: Pair 25 as 0.25 and find a number whose square is close to 25.
Step 4: The number is 5 because 5 x 5 = 25.
Step 5: Therefore, the square root of 0.25 is 0.5, which corresponds to 1/2 in fractional form.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in the Square Root of 1/4
Students often make mistakes while finding the square root, such as forgetting about both positive and negative square roots or misapplying methods. Let's explore some of these mistakes in detail.
Mistake 1
Forgetting about the negative square root
It is important to remember that a number has both positive and negative square roots. However, in practical applications, we often consider only the positive square root.
For example, √(1/4) = 1/2, but there is also -1/2 which should not be ignored entirely.
Square Root of 1/4 Examples
Problem 1
Can you help Max find the area of a square box if its side length is given as √(1/4)?
The area of the square is 1/4 square units.
Explanation
The area of the square = side².
The side length is given as √(1/4).
Area of the square = (1/2) x (1/2) = 1/4.
Therefore, the area of the square box is 1/4 square units.
Problem 2
A square-shaped garden measuring 1/4 square feet is built. If each of the sides is √(1/4), what will be the square feet of half of the garden?
1/8 square feet
Explanation
We can just divide the given area by 2 as the garden is square-shaped.
Dividing 1/4 by 2, we get 1/8.
So, half of the garden measures 1/8 square feet.
Problem 3
Calculate √(1/4) x 8.
4
Explanation
The first step is to find the square root of 1/4, which is 1/2.
The second step is to multiply 1/2 by 8.
So, 1/2 x 8 = 4.
Problem 4
What will be the square root of (1/4 + 3/4)?
The square root is 1.
Explanation
To find the square root, we need to find the sum of (1/4 + 3/4). 1/4 + 3/4 = 1, and then √1 = 1.
Therefore, the square root of (1/4 + 3/4) is 1.
Problem 5
Find the perimeter of a rectangle if its length ‘l’ is √(1/4) units and the width ‘w’ is 3/4 units.
2 units
Explanation
Perimeter of the rectangle = 2 × (length + width).
Perimeter = 2 × (1/2 + 3/4) = 2 × (2/4 + 3/4) = 2 × (5/4) = 5/2 = 2.5 units.
FAQ on Square Root of 1/4
1.What is √(1/4) in its simplest form?
2.What are the factors of 1/4?
3.Calculate the square of 1/4.
4.Is 1/4 a perfect square?
5.What is the decimal representation of 1/4?
Important Glossaries for the Square Root of 1/4
- Square root: A square root is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. For example, the square root of 1/4 is 1/2.
- Rational number: A rational number is a number that can be expressed as the quotient or fraction p/q of two integers, where q ≠ 0.
- Perfect square: A perfect square is a number that is the square of an integer. For example, 1/4 is a perfect square because it is the square of 1/2.
- Fraction: A fraction represents a part of a whole or any number of equal parts, typically expressed as "a/b" where "a" is the numerator and "b" is the denominator.
- Decimal: A decimal is a fraction expressed in a special form, where the denominator is a power of ten. For example, 1/4 is equivalent to 0.25 in decimal form.
Explore More algebra
Previous to Square Root of 1/4
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.
