What does it mean to square a cirlce?

Answer 1

It means that somebody gives you a circle, and your job is to draw a square that has

the same area as the circle you're given. In a shorthand manner of speaking, you took

the circle and you "squared" it.

In order to do it, you need to be able to measure lengths and draw right angles.

-- Measure the diameter of the circle. The radius is 1/2 the diameter.

Area of the circle = pi R2

To draw the square, you need to know the right length 'S' for the side of the square.

Since the area of the square is supposed to be the same as the area of the circle,

S2 = pi R2

S = R sqrt(pi) = 1/2 diameter sqrt(pi)

S = (Diameter) x (1/2 sqrt(pi) )

S = 0.88623 x Diameter

Construct a square with sides of that length, and you've "squared" the circle.