Count the number of squares in the given figure:

The correct answer is Option (2) → 30

The figure is a 4 × 4 grid. Squares of every size are counted: a square of side k cells can start in \((5-k)\) positions across and \((5-k)\) down.

• 1 × 1 squares: \(4\times4=16\)

• 2 × 2 squares: \(3\times3=9\)

• 3 × 3 squares: \(2\times2=4\)

• 4 × 4 square: \(1\times1=1\)

• Total: \(16+9+4+1=30\)

Tip: An n × n grid always has \(1^2+2^2+\dots+n^2=\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}\) squares; for n = 4 this gives \(\frac{4\times5\times9}{6}=30\).