Can the square of an integer be a negative number?

The square of a number is the value of the number raised to the power of 2.

Answer: No, the square of an integer can never be a negative number.

The square of a number can be found by multiplying a number by itself. 

Explanation:

If we find the square of an integer, say a, then a × a = a².

If a < 0, that is, a is a negative number, then the product of 'a' with itself is a positive number as the product of two negative numbers is always a positive number. So, we have

• a > 0, a² > 0
• a = 0, a² = 0
• a < 0, a² > 0

Hence, a² is greater than or equal to 0.

Therefore, the square of an integer cannot be a negative number.