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The numbers $24^2 = 576$ and $56^2 = 3136$ are examples of perfect squares that have a units digits of $6.$
If the units digit of a perfect square is $5,$ then what are the possible values of the tens digit?

 Jul 18, 2024
 #1
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If the number 5 is in the units digit, then the original number that was squared must end with 5. 

Let's set a variable to help us solve this question. 

Let's let a be a number that is the multiple of 10. We have

 

\((a + 5) (a + 5) = \\ a^2 + 10a + 25\)

 

a^2 will always end with a 0 or two 0s, so it has no effect on the final digit

10a will always end with a 0 or two 0s, so it has no effect on the final digit 

 

This means we always have 25. 

So 2 is our answer. 

 

Thanks! :)

 Jul 18, 2024
edited by NotThatSmart  Jul 18, 2024

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