To square a number, multiply it by itself.

1²= 1 x 1 = 1     2²= 2 x 2 = 4   3²= 3 x 3 = 9   4²= 4 x 4 = 16   5²= 5 x 5 = 25

Note : you are NOT multiplying by 2

Squaring a number is called raising it to the power of 2.

Examples of other powers:

The  root of  a square is what you need to be able to make that square.

The square root, multiplied by itself, makes the original number.

The special symbol is √

Examples

Note : you are NOT dividing by 2!

Symbols for other roots

Example

leading to

Starting with rectangular numbers,

or

Since triangular numbers are 1/2 of rectangular numbers,

© Alexander Forrest