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The solutions above seem way complicated to follow, so I went with this method: Identifying the nearest perfect square

(a) 649
nearest perfect square is 625 = 25^2
26^2 is obviously the next perfect square and that's significantly larger --> eliminate

(b) 961
30^2 = 900
so try 31^2 = 961
Perfect. Can stop here, but will work through the others

(c) 1664
It's fairly easy to divide this number down to its prime factors and then examine to prime factors to realise they aren't in even powers
1664 = 16*14
=2^4 * (7*2)
= 2^5 * 7^1
Does not contain even powers --> eliminate

(d) 2509
Closest perfect square is 2500 = 50^2
51^2 is the next perfect square and that's obviously significantly larger

(e) 100000
100000 = 10^5
same reason as (c), --> eliminate
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Bunuel
Which of the following is a perfect square?

A. 649
B. 961
C. 1664
D. 2509
E. 100000

Let’s look at each answer choice.

A) 649

Since 25^2 = 625, and since 26^2 = 676, 649 is not a perfect square.

B) 961

Since 30^2 = 900 and since 31^2 = 961, 961 is a perfect square.

Answer: B
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Bunuel
Which of the following is a perfect square?

A. 649
B. 961
C. 1664
D. 2509
E. 100000

Find the closest perfect square for each answer choice:

A. 25*25 = 625; 649 is not a perfect square

B. 30*30 = 900; 31 * 31 = 961 CORRECT

C. 40*40 = 1600; 1,664 is not a perfect square

D. 50 * 50 = 2,500; 2,590 is not a perfect square

E. 100,000 = odd number of zeros; not a perfect square.

Answer is B.
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