So "4 times" = x⁴ by your logic?

Never said such a thing, just wanted to post the definition of it that I've used in the past. It might be useful for Carlton.

"f(x) scales quadratically with x" means, in a rough sense, that f(2x) is about four times as large as f(x)....

I wouldn't quote that (incorrect) titbit to Calrton, it will just confuse the old duffer even more.