Tip #5: Square any two-digit number

To square any two digit number, follow these three simple steps:

1. Take each digit and square it. Then concatenate the two numbers. If  one of the squares is less than 10, use 0 as a placeholder.
2. Take the two digits and multiply them. Then multiply by 2. Add a 0 on to the end.
3. Add your answers from steps 1 and 2.

I’ll demonstrate with an example:

Say you want to find 56².

1. Start by taking the two digits and squaring them. 5² is 25, and 6² is 36. Concatenate them to get 2536.
2. Take the two digits and multiply them. 5 x 6 = 30.
3. Multiply this by 2. 30 x 2 = 60.
4. Add a zero on to the end to get 600.
5. Add the two numbers you got in the previous steps. 2536 + 600 = 3136.

And there you have it! 56² = 3136!