So you would like to calculate the square root of 256. In this post we will explain step by step how to do this mathematical operation and provide you with the answer.
How is the square root of 256 calculated?
First things first let’s explain what the square root is. The square root of the number a is a number b which if squared (same as multiplied by itself) equals a. As a result:
√a = b because b2 = b x b = a
Now let’s reveal the answer. The square root of 256 is 16. Let’s plug the numbers into the equation shown above:
√256 = 16 because 162 = 16 x 16 = 256
Let’s recap. The square root of 256 is 16 because 16 multiplied by itself equals 256. If you need to calculate a square root from any other number use our square root calculator. To learn more about the square root of 256 read on.
How to write the square root of 256?
There are two main ways of mathematically writing a square root expression:
Write a square root of 256 with a radical symbol
Most common method to write a square root you will come across is using a square root sign: “√”. It is called a radical sign. Writing this sign to the left of a number is the same as writing “square root of” (…well there are other than square roots that could be notated with superscript numbers together with the radical sign, but most commonly you can assume that this sign “√” refers to a square root ). So “√a” reads as the square root of the number a. The number under the radical sign is called a radicand. In our example the radicand is 256 . Here is the expression:
√256 = square root of 256
Excel & Google sheets pro tip: if you need to calculate the square root of 256 in Excel or Sheets type =sqrt (256) and hit ENTER
Write a square root of 256 as an exponent
There is no special sign for this expression. You just write a square root of a number as an exponent which is a superscript notation to the right of the number. For any number a the square root is written like this: a½. In our example the square root of 256 as an exponent can be written like this:
(256)½ = √256 = square root of 256
Excel & Google sheets pro tip: if you need to calculate the square root of 256 in Excel or Sheets as an exponent type =power (256, 1/2) and hit ENTER. The POWER function can also be used to calculate roots that are greater than square root ( the same as the 2nd root). If you need to calculate the cube root type =power (256, 1/3), for the fourth root type =power (256, 1/4) and so on.
Is 256 a Perfect Square?
The square root of 256 is 16 and because 16 is an integer therefore 256 is a perfect square.
Don’t be confused. Let’s explain. A whole number aka integer is not a fractional number (that’s why it is “whole”). Some examples of integers are: 2, 5, 45 and 2,346. And these are not integers: .09, 4/7, 2.78 and 500.1. Now going back to the perfect square. A square is called a perfect square when its square root is an integer.
Is the square root of 256 rational or irrational?
Very simply put, numbers fall into two categories: rational and irrational. Unless a square root is a perfect square, it is considered an irrational number. We know that 256 is a perfect square therefore 256 is a rational number.
How to easily calculate the square root of 256 with a any calculator
Along with our square root calculator, Excel or Google Sheets you can easily calculate the square root of 256 using a basic or a scientific calculator. Follow these easy steps:
- Type 256 in a calculator
- Press √x button
Here is an online scientific calculator if you want to give it a try.
Square root calculator
Use this square root calculator to calculate any numbers’ square root.
For any other mathematical calculation, statistical questions or unit conversions visit zalculator.com.
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