Square Root Problem: Finding Side Length When Area = 100

Because area formula is $A = s^2$, not $A = 4s$! To undo squaring, you need the square root. Division by 4 would be used for perimeter problems.

You can still take the square root! For example, if area = 50, then $s = \sqrt{50} = 5\sqrt{2} \approx 7.07$. Use a calculator when needed.

Area covers the inside space, so it's length × width. For squares, this becomes $s^2$. Perimeter goes around the outside, so it's $4s$.

No! Side lengths represent distance, which is always positive. Even though $(-10)^2 = 100$, we only use the positive square root for measurements.

$10^2 = 100$ means "10 squared equals 100". $\sqrt{100} = 10$ means "the square root of 100 equals 10". They're inverse operations that undo each other!