it means you need
to
When you see an expression written like this it means you need
to
multiply the number X by itself. This is called squaring the number.
For example, if you see the expression
, you need to multiply 3 by
itself.
That would be 3 x3 which is = 9
Note:
It is NOT = 6
because
is not the same
as 3 x 2.
Want more information? Then continue reading below...
If you have the expression ,
the number you are squaring,
which in this case is 3 is called the base.
And the small 2 to the right of the base is called the exponent.
The exponent does not have to be a 2, as a matter of fact it can be any number.
The expression 
which
has an exponent of 3 means to multiply 4 by itself 3 times
4 x 4 x 4=
4 x 4 = 16
16 x 4 = 64
The expression is
equal to 64!
Ask your parents or your teacher to learn more about square numbers and exponents!!