1. **State the problem:** Simplify or analyze the expression $x^2$. 2. **Formula and rules:** The expression $x^2$ means $x$ multiplied by itself: $$x^2 = x \times x$$. 3. **Intermediate work:** There is no further simplification unless a value for $x$ is given. 4. **Explanation:** The expression $x^2$ represents a quadratic term, which is a polynomial of degree 2. It is always non-negative if $x$ is a real number because squaring any real number results in a non-negative value. 5. **Final answer:** The expression is $x^2$ itself, representing the square of $x$.