If #n# is a whole number then we call it a perfect square if there is some whole #m# such that #n = m^2#.
If #x# is a rational number, then we call it a perfect square if there is some rational number #w# such that #x = w^2#. In fact if #x=p/q# is expressed in lowest terms (i.e. #p# and #q# have no common factor other than #1#) and #p >= 0#, #q > 0#, then it is a perfect square if and only if both #p# and #q# are perfect squares.