this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2025
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[–] TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Square x and x squared is the same thing. The proper way to say this is "A square of 381 km width"

[–] Sadbutdru@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 week ago

It's very common to use km^2 (or m^2 or whatever) as a unit of area, with the understanding that a square with x km sides has area x^2 km^2. I can see what you're saying, but I think most people would call that area 'over 145 000 square km' or something, rather than talk about the side length.