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Squaring integers

Gain confidence and improve speed by practicing new methods.

Formulas and tips covering multiple ranges.

Squaring integers

Squaring integers up to 25

First note the squares of 25, in order to get a ballpark figure of the magnitude of the numbers.

This will help to trim the numbers later on, if they seem too large.

202=400, 212=441, 222=484, 232=529, 242=576, 252=625

Case 1:

Step 1: Add the units digit to the whole number.

Step 2: Square the units digit, and include it to the right of the result in step 1.

Example: 122

12+2=14

22=4

144

Case 2:

Step 1: Add the units digit to the whole number.

Step 2: Square the units digit, and include it to the right of the result in step 1.

Example: 152

15+5=20

52=25

2025

In this case 2,025, is too large; it is much greater than the square of 25 (625).

Remove the zero for the correct answer: 225.

Case 3:

Step 1: Add the units digit to the whole number.

Step 2: Square the units digit, and include it to the right of the result in step 1.

Example: 142

14+4=18

42=16

1816

In this case 1,816, is too large; it is much greater than the square of 25(625)

Carry over the one and add it to the eight for the correct answer: 196.


Square integers in the range 11 - 22

Step 1: Take any two numbers equidistant from the number (they don't have to lie on the range 11-22). It's convenient to locate one number that has a zero units digit.

Step 2: Multiply the two numbers.

Step 3: Add the square of the distance of one of the equidistant numbers.

Example: 172

14×20=280

32=9

280+9=289


Square integers in the range 26 - 50

Step 1: Subtract 25 from the number; this number is 'x'.

Step 2: Subtract the previous result from 25; this number is 'y'.

Step 3: Substitute x and y in the following mathematical expression:

100x + y2

Example: 282

28−25=3 (x)

25−3=22 (y)

(100)3+222=784


Square integers in the range 41 - 59

Step 1: Find the difference between the number and 50. Over 50 is positive difference, and below 50 is negative.

Step 2: Add 25. This will take the leftmost position in the answer.

Step 3: Square the difference calculated earlier. This will take the rightmost position in the answer.

Example: 432

Difference between 50 and 43 is −7.

25-7=18 (leftmost digits)

(-7)2=49 (rightmost digits)

1,849


Sequential squares

This formula calculates a square when the previous square is known.

y + x + x2 = y2

Example: 1012

y=101

x=100

x2=10,000 (known).

101+100+10,000=10,201


Square any two-digit number

Elevator method.

Step 1: Note the difference between the number and the closest zero units digit number. If the number is eighteen, for example, twenty is closest, and the difference is two.

Step 2: If the zero units digit number was greater, go down by the same amount. Vice versa, if the zero digit number was lesser, go up.

Step 3: Step 1 × step 2.

Step 4: Square the step 1 difference.

Step 5: Step 3 + step 4.

Example 1: 182

Go up to 20 (difference = 2)

Go down 2, from 18 to 16

20×16=320

22=4

320+4=324

Example 2: 482

Go up to 50 (difference = 2)

Go down 2, from 48 to 46

46×50=2,300

22=4

2,300+4=2,304

Example 3: 632

Go down to 60 (difference = 3)

Go up 3, from 63 to 66

60×66=3,960

32=9

3,960+9=3,969


Square any two-digit number beginning with five

Step 1: Add 25 to the units digit.

Step 2: Affix the square of the former units digit to the right of the result in step 1.

Step 3: Estimate a ballpark figure; zeros may need to be added or trimmed from the final result.

Example: 522

2+25=27

22=4

274

Using 50 as a benchmark: 502 = 2,500.

The 274 answer is therefore too small a number.

Add a zero to the left of 4.

2704


Square numbers ending in five

Step 1: Take the leftmost digit(s) and multiply with the next highest integer.

Step 2: Attach 25 on the right; 25 will occupy the tens and units digits.

Example 1: 452

4×5=20

2025

Example 2: 1452

14×15=210

21,025