How do you calculate the area of a square?

To calculate the area of a square, you use the formula that involves squaring the length of one of its sides. This is because a square is defined as a shape with all four sides of equal length, denoted as 's'. In mathematical terms, area measures the space within the boundaries of the shape.

The formula for the area, A, is expressed as A = s². This means you take the length of one side (s), and multiply it by itself. Since all sides of the square are equal, this calculation accurately represents the total space enclosed by the square's sides.

In contrast, the other options do not represent the correct calculation for area. For example, A = 4s describes the perimeter of the square, which is the total distance around it, while A = 2s would incorrectly suggest a different calculation not relevant to area. Understanding the properties of the square helps clarify why squaring the side length is necessary for determining area specifically.