Comment by Izkata
5 days ago
> When you multiply 3 meter by 4 meter, you do not get 12 meters. You get 12 meter squared.
"12 meter(s) squared" sounds like a square that is 12 meters on each side. On the other hand, "12 square meters" avoids this weirdness by sounding like 12 squares that are one meter on each side, which the area you're actually describing.
that's just a quirk of the language.
If you use formal notation, 12 m^2 is very clear. But i have yet to see anyone write 12px^2
It's one that really bothers me because of the unnecessary confusion it adds.
As for the rest, see GGP's argument. px^2 doesn't make logical sense. When people are use pixels as length, it's in the same way as "I live 2 houses over" - taking a 2D or 3D object and using one of its dimensions as length/distance.