What does squared mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈsqərd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Prefix

Definition

A mathematical prefix indicating the process of squaring a quantity, expression, or number, resulting in a value multiplied by itself or an operation that produces a quantity with an exponent of 2.

Examples

• x squared (x²) is equal to x multiplied by x.
• The area of a square is length squared (l²).
• The numerical value of a squared fraction is equal to the fraction itself multiplied by itself.

Synonyms

• Multiplied by two
• Multiplied by itself

Antonyms

• Multiplied by one and a half
• Divided by itself

Additional Information

Mathematically, the squared prefix is often used to describe the result of an operation involving the multiplication of a quantity by itself, or a value with an exponent of two. Squaring numbers is fundamental in many mathematical areas, such as algebra, geometry, and calculus, as it provides insights into relationships between quantities. For example, doubling a length results in an area squared, while in another case, deriving a function’s formula may require squaring the variable or values involved.

The squared prefix is used in musical and scientific contexts as an abbreviation for ‘square wave’, to describe a signal oscillating between two and zero. Understanding the concept of squared values in one’s problem or context can help bring clarity to a mathematical equation or problem.

Used mostly in operations involving quantities with a multiple of two, involving the second power of it, allows a calculation much faster, gives twice quicker, makes multiplication more manageable.

Etymology

The term ‘squared’ originates from the Latin ‘square’, a figure enclosed by four equal-length sides meeting at right angles. The prefix ‘squared’ has been used in mathematics to denote a number or value multiplied by itself since the 17th-century works of mathematician Leonhard Euler.

Usage Notes

When using the term ‘squared’ in mathematics, it is essential to assure the correct usage in relation to squaring, as it signifies the multiplication of a number or operation by itself.

The word should not be confused with ‘square root’ which is a separate term denoting a value that is equal to a certain number multiplied by itself, but the word might confuse on occasions due to the ‘2’ in square and squared. but these are two different operations in the realm of mathematics

Cultural References

• The squared shape is visualized in mathematics, symbolized as a geometric shape.
• During scientific presentations, squares are often drawn on the blackboard, usually with the squared value written inside.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• ‘Square peg in a round hole’
• ‘Square deal’

Related Words or Phrases

• Root
• Power
• Exponent

Collocations

• ‘Square root of’
• ‘Square foot’
• ‘Square inch’

Frequency of Use

The term ‘squared’ is commonly used in mathematical contexts, particularly in algebra, geometry, and calculus. It is also used in scientific and technical writing to describe squared values or quantities.

Common Misspellings

• Squard
• Squered
• Squarder