How do you use a calculator to solve 6^2?

To solve \(6^2\) on a calculator, input 6, press the exponentiation button, then input 2 and press equals.

When using a calculator to solve \(6^2\), you are calculating 6 raised to the power of 2, which means multiplying 6 by itself. Most scientific calculators have an exponentiation button, often labelled as \(x^y\), \(y^x\), or simply a caret symbol (^). Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. **Turn on your calculator**: Ensure your calculator is switched on and ready for input.
2. **Input the base number**: Press the number 6 on your calculator.
3. **Access the exponentiation function**: Locate and press the exponentiation button. This button might be labelled differently depending on your calculator model, but it typically looks like \(x^y\) or \(y^x\).
4. **Input the exponent**: Press the number 2, which is the exponent in this case.
5. **Calculate the result**: Press the equals button (=) to get the result.

For example, on a typical scientific calculator, you would press:
\[ 6 \rightarrow x^y \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow = \]

The display should then show 36, which is the result of \(6^2\). This process allows you to quickly and accurately compute powers of numbers, which is a common requirement in GCSE Maths problems. If your calculator does not have an exponentiation button, you can alternatively multiply the base number by itself: \(6 \times 6\), which also equals 36.