"How could I find the square root of three if I didn't have a calculator?" Collect together students' suggestions - it is likely that various methods of trial and improvement will be suggested, as well as the observation that the value will be between 1 and 2.

 

"Trial and improvement takes time. Here is another numerical method for finding roots." Introduce the algorithm for finding a new approximation. Give students some time to experiment with the method to get a feel for it and to observe how it converges to $\sqrt{3}$. 

"Can you adapt the method to find roots of other numbers? Can you explain why it works?"

Again, give the students time to explore these two questions.

Finally, bring the class together so they can share their ideas and explanations.

What does the method $(\frac{(\frac{3}{n} + n)}{2})$ calculate, if $n$ is an approximation to $\sqrt{3}$?

How can you change the method to work out other square roots?

How does the equation $n = (\frac{(\frac{3}{n} + n)}{2})$ help you to make sense of why the method works?