What is the difference between metres square and square metres?

Question

I believe that metres square means an amount of metres squared. Such as 5 metres square = 5 X 5 metres = 25 metres while square metres is the unit for counting areas. Please verify this. Thank you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The distinction is between units and numbers. In this case, meters squared is part of the unit and therefore, isn't a mathematical operation to complete.

Whether someone says meter squared or square meter is a matter of preference, unless I am mistaken.

Mojen · Answer

If a person describes a figure as being 'five metres square' it means that that the figure is a square with sides five metres long, the area of which is 25 sq.m
If the description of the figure is 'five square metres' all you know is the area of the figure. The shape and lengths of the sides are not known i.e. a rectangle 2.5m x 2m is a 5sq.m figure but a circle of diameter 2.523m is also a 5sq.m figure.
So there is a world of difference intended in the two expressions.

anthes · Answer

5 Square Meters

derna · Answer

meter squared is N (any number) to the power of 2, i.e N x N

square meters is an area where the breadth is multiplied by the lenght which aren't  neccessarily equal, eg

12 sqaure meters could be : 3m X 4m
                                                  2m X 6m
                                                  1m X 12m

Anonymous · Answer

metres square is a term for an area measurement.square metres are uncool dudes man!

☺ · Answer

metres square = the amounts of metres times by them self.
square metres= a metre in a square. ie. one square metre, a square with the width of one metre

Morningfox · Answer

You almost got it right.

5 meters square = 5 meters x 5 meters = 25 meters squared

The English language is kind of poor about this.  "meters square" is *not* the same as "meters squared".

mathmaniac · Answer

The english may be ambiguous, but the math isn't. They are the same.

Lizzie K · Answer

That's what I think too, but they equal the same thing.

3horatii · Answer

You are wrong.

They mean the exact same thing.

Trending News

What is the difference between metres square and square metres?

13 Answers