2006-08-24 11:22:49 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I think it is because square is an adjective while inches is just the noun it applies to. "inches squared" would not be so incorrect since there are similar grammatical structures such as when "a hero reborn", "the car reinvented", used mainly in marketing to woo customers with the sound it has to it. Then again there is one more detail. In my opinion "squared" would also be the past participle of "to square" and an inch is not actually squared, since it is a fixed unit to measure area that does not suffer any change or transformation, such as a past participle would imply. An inch is no more "squared" than a meter is "elongated". At least that's what I think.
2006-08-24 14:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by fmg134s 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because saying inches squared implies that the whole thing is squared. For example 3 square inches always means 3 square inches. 3 inches squared can mean 3 square inches or (3 inches)^2.
2006-08-24 18:32:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it represents the area of one square with an inch on each side. It's a unit in and of itself. Inches squared is not a single unit.
Another math pet peeve: the year 2006 is correctly spoken "Two Thousand Six" NOT "Two Thousand AND Six"
2006-08-24 18:24:46 · answer #3 · answered by BeamMeUpMom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
4 square inches is still only 4 inches. 4 inches squared is 16 inches. big difference.
2006-08-24 18:24:41 · answer #4 · answered by mex-o-funk 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"Square inches" decribes an unit of suface area, whereas "inches squared" describe a mathematical operation. So depending what you want to convey, either one can be used and be correct.
2006-08-24 18:40:32 · answer #5 · answered by PhysicsDude 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Four inches squared would be like taking blocks and making it four blocks by four blocks, ultimately leaving you with 16 blocks.
(i.e. 4in.^2)
Four Square inches would be like taking four blocks and putting them together, ultimately leaving you with 4 blocks.
Hope that helped! =]
2006-08-24 18:30:45 · answer #6 · answered by gcgirl35 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look there is an old saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So lets not get something else changed . The Torque wrench when it was introduced, was read in foot pounds of torque. now it has been changed to pound feet of torque. Again if it ain't broke, leave it alone.
2006-08-24 18:33:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Too bad you missed Reagan.
2006-08-24 18:40:35 · answer #8 · answered by Benjamin N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋