Bond 11+ Books

Square Numbers

A Square Number is a number that is multiplied by itself.

The symbol for squared is ² - To write 3 squared we would write 3²
This tells us how many times we need to multiply 3 by itself.
3² means 3 x 3 = 9 ...... 5² means 5 x 5 = 25

They are called square numbers because these numbers do form squares.

 

The smallest square we can make with whole numbers (integers) is 1 unit by 1 unit

1 x 1 = 1² = 1

so 1 is the first square number

 

The next square we can make with whole numbers (integers) is 2 by 2

2 x 2 = 2² = 4

so 4 is the next square number

 

The next square we can make with whole numbers (integers) is 3 by 3

3 x 3 = 3² = 9

so 9 is the next square number

I usually work through all the numbers up to 10, it doesn't take long after they get the idea and you end up with the first ten square numbers.

1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81 and 100

It is worth remembering these numbers as they will come up again and again.

Another useful idea is to highlight all the square numbers on a multiplication chart.
This Square Numbers worksheet from Mathsblog does just this.

Know and use square numbers (1)

Know and use square numbers (2)