Square Inches vs Inches Squared
$begingroup$
I was just asked the question, is there a difference between 12 square inches and 12 inches squared. At first I assumed that 12 inches squared mean a square with sides of 12 inches. In this case the answer would be no. 12 inches squared would be 144 square inches. I've been searching the web for quite a long time for what is meant by 12 inches squared. I can't find anything. Is there some formal use for the phrase "inches squared"?
unit-of-measure
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
$endgroup$
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
I was just asked the question, is there a difference between 12 square inches and 12 inches squared. At first I assumed that 12 inches squared mean a square with sides of 12 inches. In this case the answer would be no. 12 inches squared would be 144 square inches. I've been searching the web for quite a long time for what is meant by 12 inches squared. I can't find anything. Is there some formal use for the phrase "inches squared"?
unit-of-measure
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Yes, 12 inches squared is 144 square inches; 12 square inches could be a square Sqrt(12) along the sides.
$endgroup$
– user117644
Sep 16 '14 at 15:12
$begingroup$
I would contend that they are the same, with the caveat that the phrasing "12 inches, squared", emphasis on the comma, implies what @mistermarko suggests. I see the terminology used interchangeably, often depending on the speaker's native language.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
Yeah, it kind of hit me that 12 inches squared means 12 inches × 12 inches. The term in my industry is used in as jargon. I should have known that 12 inches squared literally meant 12 inches squared. Couldn't see the forest for the trees. Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
@Arkamis, yeah, these people are confusing as hell! Don't get me started on what they mean by 100 thousandths. Hint, it's not 0.0001.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:23
$begingroup$
I will also note that the interpretation that "12 inches squared" means "a square 12 inches on a side" only really makes sense in any context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing or something. It doesn't make any difference if you are talking about pressure, for instance: "fill the tire to 30 pounds per inches squared" is unambiguous, as the meaning is clear and you don't need to find any nice happy squares in your tire.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:26
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
I was just asked the question, is there a difference between 12 square inches and 12 inches squared. At first I assumed that 12 inches squared mean a square with sides of 12 inches. In this case the answer would be no. 12 inches squared would be 144 square inches. I've been searching the web for quite a long time for what is meant by 12 inches squared. I can't find anything. Is there some formal use for the phrase "inches squared"?
unit-of-measure
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
$endgroup$
I was just asked the question, is there a difference between 12 square inches and 12 inches squared. At first I assumed that 12 inches squared mean a square with sides of 12 inches. In this case the answer would be no. 12 inches squared would be 144 square inches. I've been searching the web for quite a long time for what is meant by 12 inches squared. I can't find anything. Is there some formal use for the phrase "inches squared"?
unit-of-measure
unit-of-measure
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
asked Sep 16 '14 at 15:09
JordanJordan
123117
123117
$begingroup$
Yes, 12 inches squared is 144 square inches; 12 square inches could be a square Sqrt(12) along the sides.
$endgroup$
– user117644
Sep 16 '14 at 15:12
$begingroup$
I would contend that they are the same, with the caveat that the phrasing "12 inches, squared", emphasis on the comma, implies what @mistermarko suggests. I see the terminology used interchangeably, often depending on the speaker's native language.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
Yeah, it kind of hit me that 12 inches squared means 12 inches × 12 inches. The term in my industry is used in as jargon. I should have known that 12 inches squared literally meant 12 inches squared. Couldn't see the forest for the trees. Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
@Arkamis, yeah, these people are confusing as hell! Don't get me started on what they mean by 100 thousandths. Hint, it's not 0.0001.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:23
$begingroup$
I will also note that the interpretation that "12 inches squared" means "a square 12 inches on a side" only really makes sense in any context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing or something. It doesn't make any difference if you are talking about pressure, for instance: "fill the tire to 30 pounds per inches squared" is unambiguous, as the meaning is clear and you don't need to find any nice happy squares in your tire.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:26
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Yes, 12 inches squared is 144 square inches; 12 square inches could be a square Sqrt(12) along the sides.
$endgroup$
– user117644
Sep 16 '14 at 15:12
$begingroup$
I would contend that they are the same, with the caveat that the phrasing "12 inches, squared", emphasis on the comma, implies what @mistermarko suggests. I see the terminology used interchangeably, often depending on the speaker's native language.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
Yeah, it kind of hit me that 12 inches squared means 12 inches × 12 inches. The term in my industry is used in as jargon. I should have known that 12 inches squared literally meant 12 inches squared. Couldn't see the forest for the trees. Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
@Arkamis, yeah, these people are confusing as hell! Don't get me started on what they mean by 100 thousandths. Hint, it's not 0.0001.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:23
$begingroup$
I will also note that the interpretation that "12 inches squared" means "a square 12 inches on a side" only really makes sense in any context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing or something. It doesn't make any difference if you are talking about pressure, for instance: "fill the tire to 30 pounds per inches squared" is unambiguous, as the meaning is clear and you don't need to find any nice happy squares in your tire.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:26
$begingroup$
Yes, 12 inches squared is 144 square inches; 12 square inches could be a square Sqrt(12) along the sides.
$endgroup$
– user117644
Sep 16 '14 at 15:12
$begingroup$
Yes, 12 inches squared is 144 square inches; 12 square inches could be a square Sqrt(12) along the sides.
$endgroup$
– user117644
Sep 16 '14 at 15:12
$begingroup$
I would contend that they are the same, with the caveat that the phrasing "12 inches, squared", emphasis on the comma, implies what @mistermarko suggests. I see the terminology used interchangeably, often depending on the speaker's native language.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
I would contend that they are the same, with the caveat that the phrasing "12 inches, squared", emphasis on the comma, implies what @mistermarko suggests. I see the terminology used interchangeably, often depending on the speaker's native language.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
Yeah, it kind of hit me that 12 inches squared means 12 inches × 12 inches. The term in my industry is used in as jargon. I should have known that 12 inches squared literally meant 12 inches squared. Couldn't see the forest for the trees. Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
Yeah, it kind of hit me that 12 inches squared means 12 inches × 12 inches. The term in my industry is used in as jargon. I should have known that 12 inches squared literally meant 12 inches squared. Couldn't see the forest for the trees. Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
$begingroup$
@Arkamis, yeah, these people are confusing as hell! Don't get me started on what they mean by 100 thousandths. Hint, it's not 0.0001.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:23
$begingroup$
@Arkamis, yeah, these people are confusing as hell! Don't get me started on what they mean by 100 thousandths. Hint, it's not 0.0001.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:23
$begingroup$
I will also note that the interpretation that "12 inches squared" means "a square 12 inches on a side" only really makes sense in any context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing or something. It doesn't make any difference if you are talking about pressure, for instance: "fill the tire to 30 pounds per inches squared" is unambiguous, as the meaning is clear and you don't need to find any nice happy squares in your tire.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:26
$begingroup$
I will also note that the interpretation that "12 inches squared" means "a square 12 inches on a side" only really makes sense in any context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing or something. It doesn't make any difference if you are talking about pressure, for instance: "fill the tire to 30 pounds per inches squared" is unambiguous, as the meaning is clear and you don't need to find any nice happy squares in your tire.
$endgroup$
– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:26
|
show 1 more comment
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In a context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing -- one can naturally interpret "12 inches square[d]" as "a square 12 inches on a side". This would be the area of $144$ square inches.
In other context, "inches squared" may be used synonymously with "square inches". This may also depend on the speaker's native language.
Based on comments by Arkamis
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Dr. Math from the Math Forum gives a pretty good explanation here:
It's written as $12 m^2$ (that is, with an exponent of 2), but is better
read as "12 square meters" than as "12 meters squared."
The reason for this is as you say, that the latter sounds as if it
means $(12 m)^2$, the square of 12 meters, rather than $12 (m^2)$, as it
really is, 12 times one meter squared.
The fact is, however, that you will find both forms used; I think it
is generally agreed that "12 square meters" is better, in order to
avoid that problem, but both are "correct." That is, the problem is
not that "12 meters squared" MEANS the area of a 12-meter square, but
that it can be taken either way, and is thus ambiguous. We simply want
to avoid the ambiguity.
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Inches squared is right. Square inches is wrong
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I always understood the “squared” part of __inches squared was pertaining to the inch itself, not the quantity of inches. An inch squared is a 1” x 1” square, not a linear one dimensional inch.
That’s why 12 inches squared is 12 square inches, whether 6x2, 3x4, or 12x1.
Taken literally, 12 inches squared would simply be a linear 144” and in no way refer to area. Then it would be written 12^2 inches, not 12”^2.
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In a context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing -- one can naturally interpret "12 inches square[d]" as "a square 12 inches on a side". This would be the area of $144$ square inches.
In other context, "inches squared" may be used synonymously with "square inches". This may also depend on the speaker's native language.
Based on comments by Arkamis
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In a context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing -- one can naturally interpret "12 inches square[d]" as "a square 12 inches on a side". This would be the area of $144$ square inches.
In other context, "inches squared" may be used synonymously with "square inches". This may also depend on the speaker's native language.
Based on comments by Arkamis
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In a context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing -- one can naturally interpret "12 inches square[d]" as "a square 12 inches on a side". This would be the area of $144$ square inches.
In other context, "inches squared" may be used synonymously with "square inches". This may also depend on the speaker's native language.
Based on comments by Arkamis
$endgroup$
In a context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing -- one can naturally interpret "12 inches square[d]" as "a square 12 inches on a side". This would be the area of $144$ square inches.
In other context, "inches squared" may be used synonymously with "square inches". This may also depend on the speaker's native language.
Based on comments by Arkamis
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:21
community wiki
2 revs
user147263
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Dr. Math from the Math Forum gives a pretty good explanation here:
It's written as $12 m^2$ (that is, with an exponent of 2), but is better
read as "12 square meters" than as "12 meters squared."
The reason for this is as you say, that the latter sounds as if it
means $(12 m)^2$, the square of 12 meters, rather than $12 (m^2)$, as it
really is, 12 times one meter squared.
The fact is, however, that you will find both forms used; I think it
is generally agreed that "12 square meters" is better, in order to
avoid that problem, but both are "correct." That is, the problem is
not that "12 meters squared" MEANS the area of a 12-meter square, but
that it can be taken either way, and is thus ambiguous. We simply want
to avoid the ambiguity.
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Dr. Math from the Math Forum gives a pretty good explanation here:
It's written as $12 m^2$ (that is, with an exponent of 2), but is better
read as "12 square meters" than as "12 meters squared."
The reason for this is as you say, that the latter sounds as if it
means $(12 m)^2$, the square of 12 meters, rather than $12 (m^2)$, as it
really is, 12 times one meter squared.
The fact is, however, that you will find both forms used; I think it
is generally agreed that "12 square meters" is better, in order to
avoid that problem, but both are "correct." That is, the problem is
not that "12 meters squared" MEANS the area of a 12-meter square, but
that it can be taken either way, and is thus ambiguous. We simply want
to avoid the ambiguity.
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Dr. Math from the Math Forum gives a pretty good explanation here:
It's written as $12 m^2$ (that is, with an exponent of 2), but is better
read as "12 square meters" than as "12 meters squared."
The reason for this is as you say, that the latter sounds as if it
means $(12 m)^2$, the square of 12 meters, rather than $12 (m^2)$, as it
really is, 12 times one meter squared.
The fact is, however, that you will find both forms used; I think it
is generally agreed that "12 square meters" is better, in order to
avoid that problem, but both are "correct." That is, the problem is
not that "12 meters squared" MEANS the area of a 12-meter square, but
that it can be taken either way, and is thus ambiguous. We simply want
to avoid the ambiguity.
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
$endgroup$
Dr. Math from the Math Forum gives a pretty good explanation here:
It's written as $12 m^2$ (that is, with an exponent of 2), but is better
read as "12 square meters" than as "12 meters squared."
The reason for this is as you say, that the latter sounds as if it
means $(12 m)^2$, the square of 12 meters, rather than $12 (m^2)$, as it
really is, 12 times one meter squared.
The fact is, however, that you will find both forms used; I think it
is generally agreed that "12 square meters" is better, in order to
avoid that problem, but both are "correct." That is, the problem is
not that "12 meters squared" MEANS the area of a 12-meter square, but
that it can be taken either way, and is thus ambiguous. We simply want
to avoid the ambiguity.
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
answered Jan 14 at 15:42
johnnyodonnelljohnnyodonnell
1597
1597
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
$begingroup$
Also important to note, m here is not a variable. It is a unit. The ² is part of the unit not the degree of an unknown. It's not like ƒ(m) = 12m². This isn't algebra per se.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Jan 15 at 20:08
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Inches squared is right. Square inches is wrong
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Inches squared is right. Square inches is wrong
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Inches squared is right. Square inches is wrong
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
$endgroup$
Inches squared is right. Square inches is wrong
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
answered Feb 6 '17 at 18:36
XavierXavier
1
1
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
$begingroup$
It depends on the context. A 3" by 4" rectangle would be 12 square inches in area. A 12" by 12" rectangle would be 12 inches squared. Completely different areas so they refer to completely different things, but they are both valid.
$endgroup$
– Jordan
Feb 8 '17 at 16:23
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I always understood the “squared” part of __inches squared was pertaining to the inch itself, not the quantity of inches. An inch squared is a 1” x 1” square, not a linear one dimensional inch.
That’s why 12 inches squared is 12 square inches, whether 6x2, 3x4, or 12x1.
Taken literally, 12 inches squared would simply be a linear 144” and in no way refer to area. Then it would be written 12^2 inches, not 12”^2.
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I always understood the “squared” part of __inches squared was pertaining to the inch itself, not the quantity of inches. An inch squared is a 1” x 1” square, not a linear one dimensional inch.
That’s why 12 inches squared is 12 square inches, whether 6x2, 3x4, or 12x1.
Taken literally, 12 inches squared would simply be a linear 144” and in no way refer to area. Then it would be written 12^2 inches, not 12”^2.
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I always understood the “squared” part of __inches squared was pertaining to the inch itself, not the quantity of inches. An inch squared is a 1” x 1” square, not a linear one dimensional inch.
That’s why 12 inches squared is 12 square inches, whether 6x2, 3x4, or 12x1.
Taken literally, 12 inches squared would simply be a linear 144” and in no way refer to area. Then it would be written 12^2 inches, not 12”^2.
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
$endgroup$
I always understood the “squared” part of __inches squared was pertaining to the inch itself, not the quantity of inches. An inch squared is a 1” x 1” square, not a linear one dimensional inch.
That’s why 12 inches squared is 12 square inches, whether 6x2, 3x4, or 12x1.
Taken literally, 12 inches squared would simply be a linear 144” and in no way refer to area. Then it would be written 12^2 inches, not 12”^2.
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
answered Jan 11 at 11:27
DimsyDimsy
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Yes, 12 inches squared is 144 square inches; 12 square inches could be a square Sqrt(12) along the sides.
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– user117644
Sep 16 '14 at 15:12
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I would contend that they are the same, with the caveat that the phrasing "12 inches, squared", emphasis on the comma, implies what @mistermarko suggests. I see the terminology used interchangeably, often depending on the speaker's native language.
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– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
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Yeah, it kind of hit me that 12 inches squared means 12 inches × 12 inches. The term in my industry is used in as jargon. I should have known that 12 inches squared literally meant 12 inches squared. Couldn't see the forest for the trees. Thanks.
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– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:21
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@Arkamis, yeah, these people are confusing as hell! Don't get me started on what they mean by 100 thousandths. Hint, it's not 0.0001.
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– Jordan
Sep 16 '14 at 15:23
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I will also note that the interpretation that "12 inches squared" means "a square 12 inches on a side" only really makes sense in any context in which you actually expect a square -- such as manufacturing or something. It doesn't make any difference if you are talking about pressure, for instance: "fill the tire to 30 pounds per inches squared" is unambiguous, as the meaning is clear and you don't need to find any nice happy squares in your tire.
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– Emily
Sep 16 '14 at 15:26