Square (disambiguation) facts for kids

A square is a special kind of quadrilateral (a shape with four sides). What makes a square unique is that all four of its sides are exactly the same length, and all four of its angles are right angles (90 degrees). This means a square is also a type of rectangle and a rhombus. You can see squares everywhere, from tiles on the floor to windows and buildings!

The word "square" can also mean many other things, depending on how it's used.

What Does "Square" Mean in Math?

When you hear "square" in mathematics, it can refer to a few different ideas:

Squaring a Number

To square a number means to multiply it by itself. For example, if you square the number 3, you do 3 × 3, which equals 9. We write this as 3².

• The result of squaring a whole number is called a square number. For example, 4 (2x2), 9 (3x3), 16 (4x4) are square numbers.

Square Root

The square root is the opposite of squaring a number. It's finding the number that, when multiplied by itself, gives you the original number. For example, the square root of 9 is 3, because 3 × 3 = 9.

Unit Square

A unit square is a square whose sides are exactly one unit long. This unit could be one inch, one centimeter, or any other unit of measurement. It's often used in math to understand area and coordinate systems.

Measuring Area with Squares

When we talk about the size of a flat surface, like a room or a piece of land, we often use "square" units. This is because we imagine covering that surface with tiny squares.

• Square inch (in²): Used for small areas, like a photo frame.
• Square foot (ft²): Used for areas like a room or a small garden.
• Square yard (yd²): Often used for larger areas, like a backyard.
• Square mile (mi²): Used for very large areas, like states or countries.
• Square metre (m²): A common unit for areas in many parts of the world, like a house or an apartment.
• Square kilometre (km²): Used for very large areas, similar to a square mile.

Tools for Measuring and Drawing Squares

Many tools used in building, engineering, and drafting have "square" in their name because they help people draw or check for right angles (90 degrees).

• Set square: A triangular tool used in geometry and drafting to draw straight lines and specific angles, especially 90-degree angles.
• T-square: A T-shaped ruler used mainly in technical drawing to draw straight horizontal lines and to guide other drawing tools.
• Try square: A tool used in woodworking and metalworking to mark or check 90-degree angles on materials.

Famous Public Squares

A town square or market square is an open, public area often found in the center of a town or city. These spaces are usually surrounded by buildings and are used for gatherings, markets, and events.

• Dundas Square in Toronto, Canada, is a busy public space known for concerts and events.
• Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, is a historic area near Harvard University with shops and restaurants.
• Naghsh-i Jahan Square in Isfahan, Iran, is a huge, historic square and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Red Square in Moscow, Russia, is one of the most famous squares in the world, known for its history and architecture like Saint Basil's Cathedral.
• Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, is a very large city square, important in Chinese history.
• Times Square in New York City, United States, is famous for its bright lights, billboards, and entertainment.
• Trafalgar Square in London, England, is a well-known public space with Nelson's Column and fountains.

"Square" in Sports and Games

• In cricket, "square" is used to describe certain fielding positions that are at a 90-degree angle to the line of the wicket.
• In football (soccer), a "square pass" is a pass made across the field, parallel to the goal line, rather than forward or backward.
• Square dance is a type of folk dance where four couples form a square, and the dancers follow calls from a "caller."

Other Meanings of "Square"

• Square Enix is a well-known video game company from Japan, famous for games like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts.
• In sailing, a square rig refers to a type of sail arrangement on a ship where the sails are set across the ship, rather than along its length.
• A square knot is a common type of knot used to tie two ends of a rope together. It's also known as a reef knot.
• In astrology, a "square" is an astrological aspect where two planets or points are 90 degrees apart in the zodiac, which is often seen as a challenging or dynamic relationship.
• The character "■" is a solid black square, often used as a bullet point or a symbol.