# Difference between "sq km" and "km sq"

If I have a square with side $2\ \text{km}$, what is its area: $2\ \text{sq km}$ or $4\ \text{km}^2$?

• The area is $4$ sq. km. or $4\text{ km}^2$. The units square kilometer and $\text{ km}^2$ mean the same thing. Sep 26, 2012 at 10:17
• How many 1kmx1km squares can you fit in it? Ergo?
– Did
Sep 26, 2012 at 10:17
• Or you can say: open parenthesis two kilometer closed parenthesis squared: $(2~\mathrm{km})^2$. :-) Sep 26, 2012 at 10:21
• The notation $4\,\mathrm{km}^2$ will be understood all over the world. The notation $4\,\mathrm{sq. km}$ only in English speaking countries. Sep 26, 2012 at 10:28

A square with side $2\ \text{km}$ has area $4\ \text{km}^2$. This is pronounced as four square kilometres.

Suppose that a triangle has $\text{height = }a \text{ cm}, \text{ base = }b \text{ cm}$. The area, in mathematical notation, is $\Large {a\cdot b \over 2} \normalsize \text{cm}^2$.

You may pronounce the above as the quantity a times b all over two square centimeters, even though there is no difference at all.

• Your area formula is a factor of 10,000,000,000 off. Sep 26, 2012 at 13:32
• @Henning: Thanks, I just got it right.
– P.K.
Sep 26, 2012 at 13:48
• But now the pronunciation is wrong. Sep 26, 2012 at 14:11
• Heh, you're a lifesaver.
– P.K.
Sep 26, 2012 at 14:23
• @Hennig. What do you mean by your comment 10-billion off Sep 27, 2012 at 4:26