A number is considered a perfect square if it can be expressed as the square of an integer. In simpler terms, if you take a whole number and multiply it by itself, the result is a perfect square.
For example, the number 16 is a perfect square because it can be obtained by squaring the whole number 4 (i.e., 4 x 4 = 16). Similarly, 25 is a perfect square because 5 x 5 = 25.
Perfect squares can be found among both small and large numbers. Their square roots are all whole numbers, making them easy to identify. Mathematically, you can find perfect squares by calculating the squares of natural numbers: 1² = 1, 2² = 4, 3² = 9, 4² = 16, and so on.
Recognizing perfect squares is also useful in various mathematical contexts, such as simplifying square roots or solving quadratic equations. Overall, understanding what constitutes a perfect square lays a solid foundation in number theory.