NCSSM Placement Practice Test

To calculate the area of a square, the formula utilized is to take the length of one of its sides and square it. This is expressed mathematically as "side squared." A square is a specific type of rectangle where all sides are equal in length. Thus, if one side measures 's,' the area can be calculated as \( s \times s \), which simplifies to \( s^2\).

This method is distinct from other area calculations used for different shapes. For example, the formula for the area of a rectangle, which might be indicated in some of the other choices, involves multiplying length by width; however, in the case of a square, both the length and width are identical. Consequently, the concept is straightforward when applied to a square because both dimensions are the same.

Using "side squared" accurately reflects the definition and properties of a square, making it the correct choice for determining its area.