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If you do -5*-5 it equals 25 but -5 to the second power would equal 25 too right?

 Apr 9, 2015

Best Answer 

 #4
avatar+118587 
+8

The is a lot of confusion here

 

$$(-5)^2=-5*-5=+25$$

So far we are in agreement.  

 

NOW

think about this

 

$$40-5^2$$

I think that most of you would agree that this simplified as follows

$$40-25=15$$

So you see, the 5 was squared,   The minus was kept seperate.  

I think of it like this    

  $$40-5^2=40-1*5^2 = 40-1*25=40-25=15$$

SO

$$-5^2=-1*5^2=-25$$

The minus sign is not squared - the answer is negative

 

Reiterating      That is a good word 

 

 

$$\\(-5)^2=+25\\\\
-5^2=-25$$

 Apr 10, 2015
 #1
avatar
0

No it wouldn't. it would be the exact opposite actually

 Apr 10, 2015
 #2
avatar
+5

(-5)*(-5)=25

((-5)^2)=25

-((5)^2)=-25

 Apr 10, 2015
 #3
avatar
0

-5^2 = -5 X -5      so yes

 

But -1(5^2) = -25. I think that may be where the confusion lies. 

 Apr 10, 2015
 #4
avatar+118587 
+8
Best Answer

The is a lot of confusion here

 

$$(-5)^2=-5*-5=+25$$

So far we are in agreement.  

 

NOW

think about this

 

$$40-5^2$$

I think that most of you would agree that this simplified as follows

$$40-25=15$$

So you see, the 5 was squared,   The minus was kept seperate.  

I think of it like this    

  $$40-5^2=40-1*5^2 = 40-1*25=40-25=15$$

SO

$$-5^2=-1*5^2=-25$$

The minus sign is not squared - the answer is negative

 

Reiterating      That is a good word 

 

 

$$\\(-5)^2=+25\\\\
-5^2=-25$$

Melody Apr 10, 2015

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