How to Square Any Number: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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Reviewed byJoseph Meyer

Last Updated: September 15, 2021References

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1. 1

   Understand the meaning of squaring a number. When you square a number, you are essentially multiplying it by itself to form the product - or answer - to the multiplication problem.^[1]

   • Learn the common squares of numbers so you don't have to do them repetitiously over and over again. All of the following can be solved using the format given below, however, sometimes people should (or may want to) memorize these facts so they don't need to run these problem again.
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   Use pencil and paper to write down the number you'd like to square. Dependent on where the final answer will be needed, the first few times you may need a "practice" page.

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   Write the same number below and expect to multiply them. If you need help, wikiHow has a guide on that too. Write number under number.

   • Expect mistakes the first several times you end up having to use multiplication.
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   See Also

   Squaring numbers (article) | Exponents | Khan AcademySquaring numbers (article) | Khan AcademySquares and Square RootsSquares and Square Roots in Algebra

   Multiply these numbers (called factors) using the format explained above. This type of multiplication solution solving is considered to have been solved using long multiplication.^[2]

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1. 1

   Understand the difference of perfect squares shortcut. Shortcut to and write down the quick solution. Write down this trigger shortcut. The difference of two perfect squares states that when two squares are subtracted by one another the product of that number and another number when added (then subtracted) will equal your answer. This can be shown as .^[3]

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   Find the value of . Evaluate what you know. Place the x value into the "equation" and add to both sides (cancels on the left side) will yield . Doing so, you'll be able to set up to capture your answer.^[4][5]

   • Build your factors and insert the values of the item you'd like to square into the formatted equation. Let x equal the number you'd like to find. Insert the number anywhere x is shown.
   • Think about a number you could later insert for the p value. Consider making things easy and ensure the x value can be rounded up to the nearest 5 units, however, rounding it will work to any possible number. You don't want to think too far from the number.
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   Insert this number that you can add that will bring you into these common factor numbers into the p value in the equation.^[6]

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   Evaluate the much-smaller answer and add it to the equation in the place of the variable p.

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   Evaluate the equation. Add the x and p values, as well as subtracting them as the equation explains, then multiply those numbers together to get your product so far. Find the product to this part of the equation.^[7]

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   Add the product to this squared product for p. Find the sum of these two numbers. The sum will be the answer to the number squared.^[8]

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