basic algebra help

Question

0

603

1

Enter (-2)^2 what do you get? 4

Enter -2^2 what do you get? -4

(1) why did you get different answers?

(2) Would (-2)^3 and -2^3 give you two different answers? Why or why not?

Ok, the questions (1) & (2) are confusing me. This seems simple, but I can't figure it out. Thank! :)

Guest Oct 2, 2014

+128407

+5

Best Answer

Remember that -2^2 is really -1*(2^2) = -1 * 4 = -4

But (-2)^2 = (-2) *(-2) = 4

So, in the first case, the exponent only applies to the "2"....not the"-1"

Whereas, in the second example, the exponent apllies to the "-" and the "2"

CPhill Oct 2, 2014

CPhill · Answer 1 · 2014-10-02T03:50:41

Remember that -2^2 is really -1*(2^2) = -1 * 4 = -4

But (-2)^2 = (-2) *(-2) = 4

So, in the first case, the exponent only applies to the "2"....not the"-1"

Whereas, in the second example, the exponent apllies to the "-" and the "2"