does (3 1/2)^2 = 9 1/4
No it doesn't (3 1/2)^2 = (7/2)^2 = 49/4 = 12 1/4
or another way (3 1/2)^2 = (3 + 1/2)^2 = (3+1/2)(3+1/2) = 9 + 1/2(3) + 1/2(3) + 1/2(1/2) = 9 + 3 + 1/4 = 12 1/4