1. **State the problem:** Factor the expression $x^2$. 2. **Understand the expression:** $x^2$ means $x$ multiplied by itself: $x \times x$. 3. **Factoring rule:** When factoring a perfect square like $x^2$, it can be written as $(x)^2$ or $x \cdot x$. 4. **Factorization:** The expression $x^2$ factors as $x \times x$. 5. **Final answer:** The factored form of $x^2$ is $x \cdot x$ or simply $(x)^2$.