To square a number, you multiply it times itself, for example 3^2 = 3x3 = 9.
To "undo" the squaring of a number, you determine its square root. In this case, the square root of 9, or √9. If the number is a perfect square, then the answer is the number that you have to square to get the number under the radical, √. For instance, √9 = 3 because 3^2 = 3x3 = 9.
For numbers that are not perfect squares, or for any other number that you find difficult to work with, use your calculator. Different calculators have different keys and instructions, so you should read the instructions that came with your calculator, or look up the instructions online.
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If a number is squared you get a new number called the square of the given number. When the square root of the new number is taken you get back the original given number!
Squaring any number means multiplying that number by itself. In this case, 8 squared (in symbols 82) is the same as 8 x 8.
To square a matrix, simply multiply the matrix by itself. It is just like squaring any other regular number in mathematics.
The square root of a number is that number which, when squared, gives you the given number. For example, the square root of 25 is 5, since if you square 5, you get 25. It is the "inverse function" (that is, in a way it's the opposite) of squaring.
An exponent is the number in the upper right-hand corner of another number that tells if it is squared, cubed, etc. Squaring is like yxy, while cubed is yxyxy, and so on and so forth.