What is the square root of 144?

The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. In this case, we are looking for a number that, when squared, equals 144.

The number 12, when multiplied by itself (12 * 12), results in 144. Therefore, the square root of 144 is indeed 12. Understanding the concept of square roots helps in recognizing perfect squares and performing operations involving exponents.

Numbers like 10, 14, and 16 do not satisfy this condition; for example, 10 squared is 100, 14 squared is 196, and 16 squared is 256, none of which equal 144. This reinforces why 12 is the correct answer in this case.