Find the Area of a Square

Finding the area of a square is easy as long as you know the length of its side, perimeter, or diagonal. Here's how to do it.

Steps

Using the Length of a Side

  1. Write it down. Let's say you're working with a square with a side length of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Write it down.
  2. Understand the formula for the area of a square(Area=side^2). Since all squares have equal length sides, you can just multiply the distance by itself. If the length of a side of a square is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, then you just have to square {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} to find the area of a square. {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} = 9 cm2.
  3. Don't forget to state your answer in square units. You're done.
    • Squaring the side of a square is the same thing as multiplying the square's height times its base.

Using a Known Diagonal

  1. Take the measurement of the length of the diagonal of the square.
  2. Multiply the length of this diagonals measurement by itself. Square the length of the diagonal. Let's say you're working with a square with a diagonal that is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long. Now, square this number. {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} = 25 cm2.

Using a Known Perimeter

  1. Multiply the perimeter by 1/4 to find the length of a side. This is the same as dividing the perimeter by 4. Since there are four sides to a square and each side is of equal length, you can find the length of a square just by dividing the perimeter by 4. Let's say the perimeter of the square you're working with is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Just multiply {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} by 1/4: {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x 1/4 = {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. You know that the length of a side of the square is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
  2. Multiply the length of the side by itself. Square the length of the side. Now that you know that the length of a side is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, you can square it to get the area of the square. Area = (5 cm)2 = {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.2

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