Square closed pointed vector lattices

Given an Archimedean vector lattice $E$, we present one elementary property of $E$ which is equivalent to the entire traditional list of axioms which makes $E$ a $\Phi$-algebra. We call a vector lattice with this property ``square closed". More generally, we then introduce the notion of a pseudo square closed vector lattice and prove that an Archimedean vector lattice is a semiprime $f$-algebra if and only if it is pseudo square closed. This theory serves as an efficient tool for determining whether or not an Archimedean vector lattice is a $\Phi$-algebra (or a semiprime $f$-algebra). To illustrate this point, we generalize a well-known result for uniformly complete Archimedean vector lattices with a strong order unit by proving that every functionally complete Archimedean vector lattice with a strong order unit is a $\Phi$-algebra.