How to Square a Number in JavaScript

Squaring a number is a basic mathematical operation that involves multiplying a number by itself. In JavaScript, there are several ways to perform this operation. This article will explore different methods to square a number and provide examples for each approach.

Using the `Math.pow()` Method

The Math.pow() method is a built-in JavaScript function that can be used to raise a number to a specified power. To square a number, you raise it to the power of 2.


// Squaring a number using Math.pow()
const number = 5;
const squared = Math.pow(number, 2);
console.log(squared); // Output: 25

In this example:

Math.pow(number, 2) raises the number to the power of 2, effectively squaring it.

Using the Exponentiation Operator (`**`)

The exponentiation operator (**) is a more recent addition to JavaScript, providing a concise syntax for exponentiation. To square a number, you use this operator with an exponent of 2.


// Squaring a number using the exponentiation operator
const number = 5;
const squared = number ** 2;
console.log(squared); // Output: 25

In this example:

number ** 2 squares the number using the exponentiation operator.

Using Multiplication

Squaring a number can also be achieved by simply multiplying the number by itself. This is a straightforward approach and does not require any special functions or operators.


// Squaring a number using multiplication
const number = 5;
const squared = number * number;
console.log(squared); // Output: 25

In this example:

number * number multiplies the number by itself to obtain the square.

Using a Custom Function

You can also create a custom function to square a number. This approach is useful if you need to square numbers frequently in your code and want to encapsulate the logic in a reusable function.


// Custom function to square a number
function square(num) {
  return num * num;
}

const number = 5;
const squared = square(number);
console.log(squared); // Output: 25

In this example:

The square(num) function multiplies the given number by itself and returns the result.

Conclusion

Squaring a number in JavaScript can be done using various methods, including the Math.pow() method, the exponentiation operator (**), simple multiplication, or a custom function. Each method has its advantages, and the choice depends on your specific use case and coding style.

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