ESTIMATION SQUEEZE

Materials:
  • calculator
  • paper
  • pencil

Perfect Squares
1 81 289
4 100 324
9 121 361
16 144 400
25 169 441
36 196 484
49 225 529
64 256 576
Number of Players:

Two (2)
Directions:

Pick a number less than 600 that is not a perfect square (not the square of a whole number).  Record this target number.

Players take turns.  At each turn a player:

Estimates the square root of the target number and enters this estimate on the calculator.

Finds the square of the estimate with the calculator and records it.  (Use the [x2] key or the multiplication key.)

The first player who makes an estimate whose square is within 0.1 of the target number wins the game.  For example, if the target number is 139, the square of the estimate must be greater than 138.9 and less than 139.1.

Note:  The [] key on the calculator may not be used.  This key provides the best estimate of a square root that the calculator can calculate.
Example: Target Number:  139

 

  Estimate Square of Estimate  
Player 1 12 144 too large
Player 2 11 121 too small
Player 1 11.5 132.25 too small
Player 2 11.8 139.24 too large
Player 1 11.75 138.0625 too small
Player 2 11.79 139.0041 less than 139.1

Player 2 wins.