[Math] Why do we use $cm^2$

areaeducationgeometry

I can't seem to wrap my head around why we should use $cm^2$ for area.
According to my textbook we use it for converting units of area but I don't understand how $1cm$ is any different from $1cm^2$.

Can someone please explain why I should change the unit from $cm$ to $cm^2$ when working with area?

Best Answer

This has 1 point

$$ \cdot $$

This has a length of 0 cm:

$$ \cdot $$

This has an area of 0 cm${}^2$:

$$ \cdot $$

This has $\infty$ points

$$ - $$

This has a length of approximately one cm:

$$ - $$

This has an area of zero cm${}^2$:

$$ - $$

This has $\infty$ points

$$ \blacksquare $$

This has a length of $\infty$ cm:

$$ \blacksquare $$

This has an area of approximately one cm${}^2$:

$$ \blacksquare $$