[oneeyedpigeon]

I always thought it was "4 metres squared" means 4x4 and "4 square metres" means 2x2. Unless 4m^2 doesn't mean "4 metres squared", which would really be confusing me ...

[majewsky]

Exponentiation usually binds more tightly than multiplication, so

  6 m² = 6 * (m²) != (6 m)²

[detaro]

m² is the symbol for "square metres", so 6 m² is e.g. a room 2m x 3m

[blattimwind]

6² m² = (6m)² != 6 m²