What is what does it mean to square a number?

Squaring a number means multiplying the number by itself. In mathematical notation, if we have a number x, squaring it is represented as x², which is equivalent to x * x*. The result of squaring a number is called its "square".

For example:

• 3 squared (3²) is 3 * 3 = 9
• 5 squared (5²) is 5 * 5 = 25
• (-2) squared ((-2)²) is (-2) * (-2) = 4

Squaring is a fundamental operation in "algebra" and is used extensively in various mathematical concepts, including geometry (e.g., calculating the area of a "square"), calculus, and physics.