Let the middle digit be x. Then, 2x = 10 or x = 5.So, the number is either 253 or 352. Since the number increases on reversing the digits, so the hundred's digit is smaller than the unit's digit. Hence, required number = 253.
The numbers less than 696 and are squares of certain numbers are 676, 625.The least number that should be subtracted from 696 to make it perfect square = 696 - 676 = 20.