The square root of a number, x, is a number, y, when multiplied by itself equals x. ( y*y=x).
Every positive number x has two square roots, the positive and negative of the y, however, the most popular answer and what is know as the Prinicipal square root is positive y.
As with all math questions, you find the formula you need and plug into your formula the value(s) you know. To answer your question, we will use the formula y*y=x, where x is the square root of 144. y*y=144 or y squared=144. What number when multiplied by itself equals 144? 12 and -12, therefore, the square root of 144 is +12 and -12. The Principal square root of 144 is +12 which is the answer most people give when asked what the square root of 144 is.
If you have any other math questions, send them along!
Actually, the answer is either 12 or -12. If you multiply 12 by 12 you get 144. But also, if you multiply -12 by -12, you get +144.
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