+0  
 
0
688
4
avatar+1107 

Is a negative number SQUARED a negative number or a positive? 

 

I feel so dumb asking this, I'm a 7th grader, I should know angry.

 Nov 2, 2016

Best Answer 

 #4
avatar+129852 
+5

Don't get confused, MathPeacock.....!!!!

 

-12   =  - [1 ] [1]   = -1       because the exponent only applies to the 1    [not the negative] .....but notice...

 

[-1]2 = [-1] [-1]  = 1        the exponent is on both things, here

 

Notice the fine (but important) difference in the results......

 

 

 

cool cool cool

 Nov 2, 2016
 #1
avatar+129852 
+5

Postive......

 

Example .....   (-7) (-7)   = 49

 

 

 

cool cool cool

 Nov 2, 2016
 #3
avatar+1107 
0

Okay! This question is because alot of others say the same, and the opposite. Example:

 

-1= -1(Negative Squared = Negative)

 

-12 = 1 (Negative Squared = Positive)

 

 

 

Thanks for the help still!laughcool

MathPeacock  Nov 2, 2016
 #2
avatar+445 
+6

It's positive, since it's a negative times a negative.

PS Don't feel stupid, forgeting simple things happens a lot to me. 

 Nov 2, 2016
 #4
avatar+129852 
+5
Best Answer

Don't get confused, MathPeacock.....!!!!

 

-12   =  - [1 ] [1]   = -1       because the exponent only applies to the 1    [not the negative] .....but notice...

 

[-1]2 = [-1] [-1]  = 1        the exponent is on both things, here

 

Notice the fine (but important) difference in the results......

 

 

 

cool cool cool

CPhill Nov 2, 2016

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