001

Squaring a 2-digit number beginning with 1

1.Take a 2-digit number beginning with 1.
2.Square the second digit (keep the carry) _ _ X
3.Multiply the second digit by 2 and add the carry
(keep the carry) _ X _
4.The first digit is one (plus the carry) X _ _
Example:
1.If the number is 16, square the second digit:
6 6 = 36 _ _ 6
2.Multiply the second digit by 2 and add the carry:
2 6 + 3 = 15 _ 5 _
3.The first digit is one plus the carry: 1 + 1 = 2 2 _ _
4.So 16 16 = 256.
See the pattern?
1.For 19 19, square the second digit:
9 9 = 81 _ _ 1
2.Multiply the second digit by 2 and add the carry:
2 9 + 8 = 26 _ 6 _
3.The first digit is one plus the carry: 1 + 2 = 3 3 _ _
4.So 19 19 = 361.

002
Squaring a 2-digit number beginning with 5
1.Take a 2-digit number beginning with 5.
2.Square the first digit.
3.Add this number to the second number to find the
first part of the answer.
4.Square the second digit: this is the last part of the
answer.
Example:
1.If the number is 58, multiply 5 5 = 25 (square the
first digit).
2.25 + 8 = 33 (25 plus second digit).
3.The first part of the answer is 33 33 _ _
4.8 8 = 64 (square second digit).
5.The last part of the answer is 64 _ _ 64
6.So 58 58 = 3364.
See the pattern?
1.For 53 53, multiply 5 5 = 25 (square the first
digit).
2.25 + 3 = 28 (25 plus second digit).
3.The first part of the answer is 28 28 _ _
4.3 3 = 9 (square second digit).
5.The last part of the answer is 09 _ _ 09
6.So 53 53 = 2809.

003
Squaring a 2-digit number beginning with 9
1.Take a 2-digit number beginning with 9.
2.Subtract it from 100.
3.Subtract the difference from the original number:
this is the first part of the answer.
4.Square the difference: this is the last part of the
answer.
Example:
1.If the number is 96, subtract:
100 - 96 = 4, 96 - 4 = 92.
2.The first part of the answer is 92 _ _ .
3.Take the first difference (4) and square it:
4 4 = 16.
4.The last part of the answer is _ _ 16.
5.So 96 96 = 9216.
See the pattern?
1.For 98 98, subtract: 100 - 98 = 2, 98 - 2 = 96.
2.The first part of the answer is 96 _ _.
3.Take the first difference (2) and square it: 2 2 = 4.
4.The last part of the answer is _ _ 04.
5.So 98 98 = 9604.

004
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 1
1.Take a 2-digit number ending in 1.
2.Subtract 1 from the number.
3.Square the difference.
4.Add the difference twice to its square.
5.Add 1.
Example:
1.If the number is 41, subtract 1: 41 - 1 = 40.
2.40 40 = 1600 (square the difference).
3.1600 + 40 + 40 = 1680 (add the difference twice to
its square).
4.1680 + 1 = 1681 (add 1).
5.So 41 41 = 1681.
See the pattern?
1.For 71 71, subtract 1: 71 - 1 = 70.
2.70 70 = 4900 (square the difference).
3.4900 + 70 + 70 = 5040 (add the difference twice to
its square).
4.5040 + 1 = 5041 (add 1).
5.So 71 71 = 5041.

005
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 2
1.Take a 2-digit number ending in 2.
2.The last digit will be _ _ _ 4.
3.Multiply the first digit by 4: the 2nd number will be
the next to the last digit: _ _ X 4.
4.Square the first digit and add the number carried
from the previous step: X X _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 52, the last digit is _ _ _ 4.
2.4 5 = 20 (four times the first digit): _ _ 0 4.
3.5 5 = 25 (square the first digit),
25 + 2 = 27 (add carry): 2 7 0 4.
4.So 52 52 = 2704.
See the pattern?
1.For 82 82, the last digit is _ _ _ 4.
2.4 8 = 32 (four times the first digit): _ _ 2 4.
3.8 8 = 64 (square the first digit),
64 + 3 = 67 (add carry): 6 7 2 4.
4.So 82 82 = 6724.

006
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 3
1.Take a 2-digit number ending in 3.
2.The last digit will be _ _ _ 9.
3.Multiply the first digit by 6: the 2nd number will be
the next to the last digit: _ _ X 9.
4.Square the first digit and add the number carried
from the previous step: X X _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 43, the last digit is _ _ _ 9.
2.6 4 = 24 (six times the first digit): _ _ 4 9.
3.4 4 = 16 (square the first digit),
16 + 2 = 18 (add carry): 1 8 4 9.
4.So 43 43 = 1849.
See the pattern?
1.For 83 83, the last digit is _ _ _ 9.
2.6 8 = 48 (six times the first digit): _ _ 8 9.
3.8 8 = 64 (square the first digit),
64 + 4 = 68 (add carry): 6 8 8 9.
4.So 83 83 = 6889.

007
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 4
1.Take a 2-digit number ending in 4.
2.Square the 4; the last digit is 6:
_ _ _ 6 (keep carry, 1.)
3.Multiply the first digit by 8 and add the carry (1);
the 2nd number will be the next to the last digit:
_ _ X 6 (keep carry).
4.Square the first digit and add the carry: X X _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 34, 4 4 = 16 (keep carry, 1); the
last digit is _ _ _ 6.
2.8 3 = 24 (multiply the first digit by 8),
24 + 1 = 25 (add the carry): the next digit is 5:
_ _ 5 6. (Keep carry, 2.)
3.Square the first digit and add the carry, 2: 1 1 5 6.
4.So 34 34 = 1156.
See the pattern?
1.For 84 84, 4 4 = 16 (keep carry, 1); the last digit
is _ _ _ 6.
2.8 8 = 64 (multiply the first digit by 8),
64 + 1 = 65 (add the carry): the next digit is 5:
_ _ 5 6. (Keep carry, 6.)
3.Square the first digit and add the carry, 6: 7 0 5 6.
4.So 84 84 = 7056.

008
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 5
1.Choose a 2-digit number ending in 5.
2.Multiply the first digit by the next consecutive
number.
3.The product is the first two digits: XX _ _.
4.The last part of the answer is always 25: _ _ 2 5.
Example:
1.If the number is 35, 3 4 = 12 (first digit times next
number). 1 2 _ _
2.The last part of the answer is always 25: _ _ 2 5.
3.So 35 35 = 1225.
See the pattern?
1.For 65 65, 6 7 = 42 (first digit times next
number): 4 2 _ _.
2.The last part of the answer is always 25: _ _ 2 5.
3.So 65 65 = 4225.

009
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 6
1.Choose a 2-digit number ending in 6.
2.Square the second digit (keep the carry): the last
digit of the answer is always 6: _ _ _ 6
3.Multiply the first digit by 2 and add the carry (keep
the carry): _ _ X _
4.Multiply the first digit by the next consecutive
number and add the carry: the product is the first
two digits: XX _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 46, square the second digit:
6 6 = 36; the last digit of the answer is 6 (keep
carry 3): _ _ _ 6
2.Multiply the first digit (4) by 2 and add the carry
(keep the carry): 2 4 = 8, 8 + 3 = 11; the next digit
of the answer is 1: _ _ 1 6
3.Multiply the first digit (4) by the next number (5)
and add the carry: 4 5 = 20, 20 + 1 = 21 (the first
two digits): 2 1 _ _
4.So 46 46 = 2116.

See the pattern?

1.For 76 76, square 6 and keep the carry (3):
6 6 = 36; the last digit of the answer is 6: _ _ _ 6
2.Multiply the first digit (7) by 2 and add the carry:
2 7 = 14, 14 + 3 = 17;
3.the next digit of the answer is 7 (keep carry 1):
__76
4.Multiply the first digit (7) by the next number (8)
and add the carry: 7 8 = 56, 56 + 1 = 57 (the first
two digits: 5 7 _ _
5.So 76 76 = 5776.

010
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 7
1.Choose a 2-digit number ending in 7.
2.The last digit of the answer is always 9: _ _ _ 9
3.Multiply the first digit by 4 and add 4 (keep the
carry): _ _ X _
4.Multiply the first digit by the next consecutive
number and add the carry: the product is the first
two digits: XX _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 47:
2.The last digit of the answer is 9: _ _ _ 9
3.Multiply the first digit (4) by 4 and add 4 (keep the
carry): 4 4 = 16, 16 + 4 = 20; the next digit of the
answer is 0 (keep carry 2): _ _ 0 9
4.Multiply the first digit (4) by the next number (5)
and add the carry (2): 4 5 = 20, 20 + 2 = 22 (the
first two digits): 2 2 _ _
5.So 47 47 = 2209.

See the pattern?

1.For 67 67
2.The last digit of the answer is 9: _ _ _ 9
3.Multiply the first digit (6) by 4 and add 4 (keep the
carry): 4 6 = 24, 24 + 4 = 28; the next digit of the
answer is 0 (keep carry 2): _ _ 8 9
4.Multiply the first digit (6) by the next number (7)
and add the carry (2): 6 7 = 42, 42 + 2 = 44 (the
first two digits): 4 4 _ _
5.So 67 67 = 4489.

011
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 8
1.Choose a 2-digit number ending in 8.
2.The last digit of the answer is always 4: _ _ _ 4
3.Multiply the first digit by 6 and add 6 (keep the
carry): _ _ X _
4.Multiply the first digit by the next consecutive
number and add the carry: the product is the first
two digits: XX _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 78:
2.The last digit of the answer is 4: _ _ _ 4
3.Multiply the first digit (7) by 6 and add 6 (keep the
carry): 7 6 = 42, 42 + 6 = 48; the next digit of the
answer is 8 (keep carry 4): _ _ 8 4
4.Multiply the first digit (7) by the next number (8)
and add the carry (4): 7 8 = 56, 56 + 4 = 60 (the
first two digits): 6 0 _ _
5.So 78 78 = 6084.

See the pattern?

1.For 38 38
2.The last digit of the answer is 4: _ _ _ 4
3.Multiply the first digit (3) by 6 and add 6 (keep the
carry): 3 6 = 18, 18 + 6 = 24; the next digit of the
answer is 4 (keep carry 2): _ _ 4 4
4.Multiply the first digit (3) by the next number (4)
and add the carry (2): 3 4 = 12, 12 + 2 = 14 (the
first two digits): 1 4 _ _
5.So 38 38 = 1444
Learn the pattern, practice other examples, and you
will be a whiz at giving these squares.

012
Squaring a 2-digit number ending in 9
1.Choose a 2-digit number ending in 9.
2.The last digit of the answer is always 1: _ _ _ 1
3.Multiply the first digit by 8 and add 8 (keep the
carry): _ _ X _
4.Multiply the first digit by the next consecutive
number and add the carry: the product is the first
two digits: XX _ _.
Example:
1.If the number is 39:
2.The last digit of the answer is 1: _ _ _ 1
3.Multiply the first digit (3) by 8 and add 8 (keep the
carry): 8 3 = 24, 24 + 8 = 32; the next digit of the
answer is 2 (keep carry 3): _ _ 2 1
4.Multiply the first digit (3) by the next number (4)
and add the carry (3): 3 4 = 12, 12 + 3 = 15 (the
first two digits): 1 5 _ _
5.So 39 39 = 1521.

See the pattern?

1.For 79 79
2.The last digit of the answer is 1: _ _ _ 1
3.Multiply the first digit (7) by 8 and add 8 (keep the
carry): 8 7 = 56, 56 + 8 = 64; the next digit of the
answer is 4 (keep carry 6): _ _ 4 1
4.Multiply the first digit (7) by the next number (8)
and add the carry (6): 7 8 = 56, 56 + 6 = 62 (the
first two digits): 6 2 _ _
5.So 79 79 = 6241.
Practice other examples using this pattern, and in no
time you'll be able to give these squares faster than
someone using a calculator.

013
Squaring numbers made up of ones
1.Choose a a number made up of ones (up to nine
digits).
2.The answer will be a series of consecutive digits
beginning with 1, up to the number of ones in the
given number, and back to 1.
Example:
1.If the number is 11111, (5 digits) 2.The square of the number is 123454321.
(Begin with 1, up to 5, then back to 1.)
See the pattern?
1.If the number is 1111111, (7 digits) 2.The square of the number is 1234567654321.
(Begin with 1, up to 7, then back to 1.).
This is an easy one, but it should be good for a quick
example of your mental math abilities. Challenge a
friend and BEAT THE CALCULATOR!

014
Squaring numbers made up of threes
1.Choose a a number made up of threes.
2.The square is made up of:
a) one fewer 1 than there are repeating 3's
b)zero
c) one fewer 8 than there are repeating 3's (same as
the 1's in the square)
d)nine.
Example:
1.If the number to be squared is 3333:
2.The square of the number has:
three 1's (one fewer than digits in number)
111_____
next digit is 0
___0____
three 8's (same number as 1's)
____888_
a final 9
_______9
3.So 3333 3333 = 11108889.

See the pattern?

1.If the number to be squared is 333:
2.The square of the number has:
two 1's
11_____
next digit is 0
___0___
two 8's
____88_
a final 9
______9
3.So 333 333 = 110889.

015
Squaring numbers made up of sixes
1.Choose a a number made up of sixes.
2.The square is made up of:
a) one fewer 4 than there are repeating 6's
b)3
c) same number of 5's as 4's
d)6
Example:
1.If the number to be squared is 666
2.The square of the number has:
4's (one less than digits in number) 4 4
3
3
5's (same number as 4's)
55
6
6
3.So 666 3666333 = 443556.

See the pattern?

1.If the number to be squared is 66666
2.The square of the number has:
4's (one less than digits in number) 4 4 4 4
3
3
5's (same number as 4's)
5555
6
6
3.So 66666 66666 = 4444355556

016
Squaring numbers made up of nines
1.Choose a a number made up of nines (up to nine
digits).
2.The answer will have one less 9 than the number,
one 8, the same number of zeros as 9's, and a final
1
Example:
1.If the number to be squared is 9999
2.The square of the number has:
one less nine than the number 9 9 9
one 8
8
the same number of zeros as 9's 0 0 0
a final 1
1
3.So 9999 9999 = 99980001.

See the pattern?

1.If the number to be squared is 999999
2.The square of the number has:
one less nine than the number 9 9 9 9 9
one 8
8
the same number of zeros as 9's 0 0 0 0 0
a final 1
1
3.So 999999 999999 = 999998000001.
This is not a very demanding mental math exercise, but
it is an interesting pattern.