Final answer:
The irrational number from the given options is √12 as it cannot be simplified into a fraction, while the square roots of 36, 64, and 144 are all rational numbers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to identify which number among the given options is irrational. An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction - its decimal goes on forever without repeating. To determine which of the given options is irrational, we need to evaluate the square roots.
- √12 is an irrational number because 12 is not a perfect square, and its square root cannot be simplified into a fraction.
- √36 equals 6, which is a rational number.
- √64 equals 8, which is also a rational number.
- √144 equals 12, which is a rational number as well.
Therefore, the irrational number from the given options is √12.