1. The problem is to understand how to express or interpret $n^2$. 2. The notation $n^2$ means $n$ raised to the power of 2, which is also called "n squared". 3. The formula for squaring a number is: $$n^2 = n \times n$$ 4. This means you multiply the number $n$ by itself. 5. For example, if $n=3$, then: $$3^2 = 3 \times 3 = 9$$ 6. Squaring a number always results in a non-negative value if $n$ is a real number. 7. This operation is common in algebra and geometry, especially when calculating areas of squares where the side length is $n$. 8. So, $n^2$ is simply the square of $n$, or $n$ multiplied by itself.