what is the difference if a negative number raised to a power is in parentheses

(-5)⁴  =  -5 x -5 x -5 x -5  =  625

 

-5⁴  =  -(5⁴)  =  -1 x (5 x 5 x 5 x 5)  =  -625

adding onto geno, i'm going to explain the difference

 

negative number raised without parenthesis: you will calculate the expression WITHOUT including the negative (for example, if it was -5^4, do 5^4 first before adding the negative) and then add the negative sign to your answer. so, you would do 5*5*5*5*-1 to get -625

 

negative number raised with parenthesis: you will calculate the expression using -5*-5*-5*-5 to get 625.  

 

apologize that the explanation is kind of messy. feel free to let me know if you have any other questions or concerns :]