ALEKS Practice Exam 2025 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Mastering Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces!

The area of a square is calculated using the formula \( s^2 \), where \( s \) represents the length of one side of the square. This formula derives from the definition of area as the amount of space contained within a two-dimensional shape. In the case of a square, which has four equal sides, the area is obtained by multiplying the length of one side by itself.

For example, if one side of the square is 4 units long, the area would be \( 4 \times 4 = 16 \) square units. This makes option B the correct choice, as it accurately reflects the geometric principles involved in calculating the area of a square.

The other options do not represent the area of a square. The expression \( 2s \) pertains to the perimeter of the square, not its area. The term \( πs \) is related to circles, as it includes the mathematical constant π, which is not relevant to the area of a square. Lastly, \( s + s \) simplifies to \( 2s \), which again refers to the perimeter, further emphasizing that these choices do not address the area of the square accurately.