Square (second power, quadratic) - practice problems

Squaring a number means multiplying it by itself, raising it to the second power, denoted as n² or n×n. The result is always non-negative for real numbers, creating a parabolic relationship when graphed. Perfect squares are integers that result from squaring whole numbers (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, etc.). Squaring is fundamental to the Pythagorean theorem, area calculations for squares and circles, and the quadratic formula. The inverse operation is taking the square root. Understanding squares is essential for algebra, geometry, and physics, particularly in formulas involving area, distance, and energy.