Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Square a number
• Tips

If you're confusing square and square roots, keep in mind that squaring a number is as easy as multiplying it. That's why it's important to know how to multiply numbers as well as larger numbers. To square fractions, you calculate the power of both the numerator and the denominator. Then simplify the outcome.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Square a number

1. Learn how to do the basic multiplication. When you square a number, you are simply multiplying it by itself, so knowing how to multiply is important. To make it easier to square common numbers, you can use the multiplication tables.
   • For example, learn the multiplication tables from 1 to 9.
2. Multiply the number by itself. Write down the number you want to square. Remember, when you square a number, you are multiplying it by the same number, not two.
   • For instance: ${ displaystyle 5 ^ {2}}$Recognize other terms for squaring a number. If you have to solve problems that require you to square a number, keep in mind that they may also ask you to increase the number by a power of two. This is just another way of asking you to square the number.
     • You may also see a problem written as 6 ^ 2. This is another way of asking you to square six.
   • Distinguish between squaring and finding the square root. It's easy to get these terms mixed up, but remember that finding the square root of a number is the opposite of squaring a number. Finding the square root means looking for the number that can be multiplied by itself to get the squared number.
     • For instance: ${ displaystyle 9 ^ {2}}$Write down the statement. To find the square of a number with more than one digit, it helps to rewrite the problem as multiplying numbers by two digits. Start with the number and write the same number below it.
       • For instance: ${ displaystyle 24 ^ {2}}$Multiply the unit in the bottom number by the unit above it. Draw a line below the numbers and place the result underneath.
         • For example: get 24 x 24 = 16. Write a 6 as the unit and place the 1 above the ten.
       • Multiply the bottom unit by the top ten. Take the same number from the bottom and multiply by the top ten. Don't forget to add the number you remembered and write the result below the line.
         • For example, for 24 x 24 you multiply 4 by 2 and add the 1 you memorized. The result below the line then becomes 96.
       • Place a 0 below the result and multiply the bottom ten by the top one. The 0 will act as a placeholder. Write the result of multiplying the number of the bottom ten by the number of the top ten next to 0.
         • In the example of 24 x 24, multiply 2 by 4. It will now read 80 under 96.
       • Multiply the number of the bottom ten by the number of the top ten. If you have memorized numbers, don't forget to add them to the outcome. Write the outcome below the line.
         • To finish 24 x 24, do 2 x 2 = 4. The result is 480.
       • Add the two results to get your answer. If you multiply a number by three or more digits, you have to add more numbers together. Write the final answer as the square of the number.
         • Add 96 to 480 to answer 24 x 24. ${ displaystyle 24 ^ {2}}$Square the counter. Multiply the numerator of the fraction by itself to find the square. Write down the result and place the fraction line below it.
           • For example with (/₂), do 8 x 8 = 64 as the counter.
         • Square the denominator. Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by itself. Write the result below the fraction line.
           • So at (/₂), you do 2 x 2 = 4 as the denominator.
         • Simplify the result. While you could leave the fraction large or improper, most of the clues will tell you to simplify the result. If you have an improper fraction, make it a mixed number.
           • For instance: (/₂) = (/₄) can be simplified to 16 because this number goes into 64 4 times.

Tips

• Remember, if you square a negative number, the answer will be positive because the two negatives cancel each other out.
• To square a number using a calculator, key in the first number, the "x", then the second number. For example: to ${ displaystyle 4 ^ {2}}$ To calculate, key in 4 x 4 to get 16.