Mathematics Knowledge
Yesterday I presented a question about squares. Do you know what the value of -8 squared is?
In my role as ASVAB tutor, I remind my students of the importance of working with squares and cubes. To square a number means to multiply the number by itself.
-8 squared means -8 x -8.
-8 x -8 = 64
A negative number multiplied by a negative number is a positive number.
Some people overlook this and answer it as -64.
Another common error that people make when squaring a number is that they multiply by 2.
Instead of doing -8 x -8, they mistakenly multiply -8 x 2 = -16.
Some might mistakenly answer with -16 or some might pick 16.
The correct answer is 64.
Did you know the answer to this question?
