Question

Why does (-4 1/2)^2 = 20.25? Thank you please hurry!

Answer 1

Answer:

See below.

Step-by-step explanation:

Squaring a number means to multiply the number by itself.

For example, 3^2 means 3 * 3.

8^2 means 8 * 8.

(-6)^2 means (-6) * (-6).

In each case above, you see that the number that is squared is multiplied by itself.

In this case, (-4.5)^2, squaring the number -4.5, means multiply the number -4.5 by the number -4.5

(-4.5)^2 = (-4.5) * (-4.5)

Now we need to actually multiply -4.5 by -4.5

When you multiply a negative number by a negative number, the result is positive, so the product of -4.5 and -4.5 is a positive number. To find that number, you multiply 4.5 by 4.5

4.5 * 4.5 = 20.25

Therefore, (-4.5)^2 = 20.25