Is 240 a perfect square? This question often arises when people encounter the concept of perfect squares in mathematics. In this article, we will explore the nature of 240 and determine whether it is indeed a perfect square.
A perfect square is a number that can be expressed as the square of an integer. For example, 16 is a perfect square because it is the square of 4 (4 x 4 = 16). In contrast, a non-perfect square is a number that cannot be expressed as the square of an integer. For instance, 17 is not a perfect square because there is no integer that, when squared, equals 17.
To determine if 240 is a perfect square, we need to find an integer whose square is equal to 240. We can do this by taking the square root of 240 and checking if the result is an integer. The square root of 240 is approximately 15.49. Since 15.49 is not an integer, we can conclude that 240 is not a perfect square.
However, this does not mean that 240 is not related to perfect squares. In fact, 240 can be expressed as the product of two perfect squares: 16 (4 x 4) and 15 (3 x 5). This is because 240 = 16 x 15, and both 16 and 15 are perfect squares. This relationship highlights the connection between 240 and the concept of perfect squares, even though 240 itself is not a perfect square.
In conclusion, 240 is not a perfect square, as it cannot be expressed as the square of an integer. However, it is related to perfect squares through its factors, which include the perfect squares 16 and 15. Understanding the nature of 240 and its connection to perfect squares can help us appreciate the fascinating world of mathematics.
