Finding square roots: worked example
22 October 2026
Square roots can look tricky at first, but they follow a simple pattern. If your child understands what a square number is, finding the square root is just working backwards.
Worked example
What is the square root of 49?
Step 1: A square root is a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number.
Step 2: Think. Which number times itself equals 49?
Step 3: Try 7 × 7 = 49.
So, the square root of 49 is 7.
Key insight: Finding a square root means finding the number that was squared to get the original number.
Now your child can spot when a number is a perfect square and work out its square root with confidence. The next step is to practise more questions like this, so your child can get used to the method and feel ready for 11+ maths.
