Instant Mental Calculation of Square Roots

Step 1: Learn the Squares of 0 to 9

To master the system you must learn by heart the squares of numbers 0 to 9, which
are shown in the table below. You also need to consider the last digit of each square.

Note how the last digits for the squares of 1 and 9 are both 1.
Note how the last digits for the squares of 2 and 8 are both 4.
Note how the last digits for the squares of 3 and 7 are both 9.
Note how the last digits for the squares of 4 and 6 are both 6.

Step 2: Determine the Square Root

Ignore the last two digits of the number called out by the spectator and choose the
memorised square which isjust lower (or equal) to the remaining number. The
corresponding square root is the first digit. of your answer
Now consider the last digit of the number called out by the spectator. If this is 0 or 5,
then you immediately know that the last digit of your answer is also 0 or 5.
In all other cases, the last digit of the number called out will indicate two possible values
for the last digit of the square root. For example, if the last digit is 9, then the square
root may end in either 3 or 7.
To determine whether the lower or higher value should be taken, multiply the first
digit of your answer by one greater than itself. If this is greater than the first part of
the number called by the spectator (i.e., ignoring the last two digits), then the last digit of
your answer is the lower of the two possible values. Otherwise the last digit is the
higher value.
For example if the number called is 2809, the square root could be either 53 or 57.
Since 5 x 6 = 30, and 28 is less than 30, the answer is 53.