What it looks like
x² = 9
x² is said "x squared". It means x times x. So this puzzle asks: what number times itself makes 9?
Square numbers to know
| Number | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squared | 1 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 36 | 49 | 64 | 81 | 100 |
Worked example 1
x² = 9
3 times 3 is 9.
x = 3
In the game you find this with the square root spell. The next page shows how.
Worked example 2
A number in front of x².
2x² = 18
Divide both sides by 2
x² = 9
x = 3
2x² means 2 times x². Only the x is squared, not the 2.
Check it: 3 times 3 is 9. Then 2 times 9 is 18.
The most common mistake
Thinking the little 2 means "times 2".
Not this
3² is 3 times 2
6
This
3² is 3 times 3
9
In the game
You meet these puzzles in the Shadow Spire.