If \( 3^2 \) is calculated, what is the result?

When you calculate \( 3^2 \), you are raising 3 to the power of 2, which means you multiply 3 by itself: \( 3 \times 3 \). The result is 9. So, \( 3^2 = 9 \)! Here’s a fun fact: exponents are used not just in math, but also in science and engineering! For example, the area of a square is determined by squaring the length of its sides. So, if you have a square with sides of length 3 units, the area (using \( 3^2 \)) would be 9 square units. Make sure you don’t confuse squaring with simply multiplying; it’s like a secret shortcut! But watch out for common mistakes: some folks might mistakenly think subtracting or dividing when they see exponents. Always remember, exponent means multiplying the base by itself!