Multiplying Decimals: Common Mistake?

[BogMonkey]

This is probably a stupid question but I'm fairly confused about this. If I multiply 0.5 meters by 0.5 meters I get 0.25 meters. If I multiply 50 cm by 50 cm I get 250 cm (2.5 meters). What mistake am I making here?

 

[Svalbard]

0.5m * 0.5m = 0.25m²

50cm * 50cm = 2500cm²

0.25m² = 2500cm²

Your mistakes: 50*50 does not equal 250 and m*m does not equal m

 

[jtbell]

To add to this:

1 m = 100 cm

(1 m)² = (100 cm)²

1 m² = 10000 cm²

 

[BogMonkey]

Ah yeah that explains it. Thanks a lot.