What approximate value represents the square root of 15?

To find the approximate value of the square root of 15, we can consider the perfect squares that are closest to 15. The perfect squares surrounding 15 are 9 (which is (3^2)) and 16 (which is (4^2)). Hence, we know that the square root of 15 must be between 3 and 4.

Calculating the value of the square root of 15 more closely, we recognize that it is closer to 16 than it is to 9.

When estimating, if we take 3.8 as a candidate, when we calculate (3.8^2), we get (14.44), which is less than 15. Trying 3.9, we get (3.9^2 = 15.21), which exceeds 15. Since the value of 15 lies between these two results, this suggests that the square root of 15 is approximately 3.87, confirming that 3.87 is a reasonable approximation.

Thus, the square root of 15 is best represented by approximately 3.87, making it the correct choice among the given options. This method of estimating through the context of nearby perfect