Question:
Find the smallest number by which 147 must be multiplied so that it becomes a perfect square. Also, find the square root of the number so obtained.
Solution:
The prime factorisation of 147:
147 = 3 x 7 x 7
Grouping the factors into pairs of equal factors, we get:
147 = 3 x (7 x 7)
The factor, 3 does not have a pair. Therefore, we must multiply 147 by 3 to make a perfect square. The new number is:
(3 x 3) x (7 x 7) = 441
Taking one factor from each pair on the LHS, the square root of the new number is 3 x 7, which is equal to 21.