Fractions problem

Because, you are probably doing something wrong. Enter 2 1/2 as 2.5 and press x^2 key followed by = sign to get your answer.

Two ways to solve this.

The long way:

$(2+\frac{1}{2})^2$

$(2+\frac{1}{2})(2+\frac{1}{2})$

$2\times2+2\times\frac{1}{2}+2\times\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$

$4+2\times\frac{1}{2}+2\times\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$

$4+\frac{2}{2}+2\times\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$

$4+1+2\times\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$

$4+1+\frac{2}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$

$4+1+1+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{2}$

$4+1+1+\frac{1}{4}$

$5+1+\frac{1}{4}$

$6+\frac{1}{4}$

$\frac{24}{4}+\frac{1}{4}$

$\frac{25}{4}$

$6\frac{1}{4}$

$6.25$

The short way:

$(2+\frac{1}{2})^2$

$(\frac{4}{2}+\frac{1}{2})^2$

$(\frac{5}{2})^2$

$\frac{5^2}{2^2}$

$\frac{25}{2^2}$

$\frac{25}{4}$

$6\frac{1}{4}$

$6.25$