Calculate 7² as an Integer: Converting Power to Standard Form

To solve this problem, we need to evaluate the expression $7^2$. This expression means $7$ multiplied by itself, due to the exponent $2$.

• Step 1: Identify the base and exponent — here the base is $7$ and the exponent is $2$.
• Step 2: Apply the definition of exponents: calculate $7 \times 7$.

Now, let's perform the calculation:

$7 \times 7 = 49$.

Therefore, the integer value of $7^2$ is $\textbf{49}$.