SOLUTION: Why does in * in = inches squared? I'm not sure what exponent rule is behind this.

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: Why does in * in = inches squared? I'm not sure what exponent rule is behind this.      Log On


   

Question 307530: Why does in * in = inches squared? I'm not sure what exponent rule is behind this.
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
When you square anything you multiply that thing by itself!
For example:
5%5E2+=+5%2A5
a%2Aa+=+a%5E2
ft%2Aft+=+ft%5E2
in%2Ain+=+in%5E2
The exponent rule is when multiplying things that have the same base, you add the exponents.
a%5E1%2Aa%5E1+=+a%5E%28%281%2B1%29%29=a%5E2 Here, a is the base.
7%5E2%2A7%5E3+=+7%5E%28%282%2B3%29%29 = 7%5E5+=+16807 Here, 7 is the base.
However:
6%5E2%2A8%5E3+%3C%3E+%286%2A8%29%5E5 Because the bases (6 & 8) are not the same.