What is the BEST approximation of sqrt(5) to the nearest tenth?

Answer

To find the best approximation of sqrt(5) to the nearest tenth, we can test the squares of tenths between 2.2 and 2.3. First, calculate 2.2 squared: 2.2 * 2.2 = 4.84. Next, calculate 2.3 squared: 2.3 * 2.3 = 5.29. Also, we can find the midpoint between 2.2 and 2.3, which is 2.25, and square it: 2.25 * 2.25 = 5.0625. Since 5 is less than 5.0625, sqrt(5) must be less than 2.25. Therefore, sqrt(5) is closer to 2.2 than to 2.3. Rounding to the nearest tenth gives 2.2.