Even powers of negative numbers:
Be very careful to distinguish between these problems. The placement of the parentheses makes a difference!
Base | Exponent | Evaluate | |
---|---|---|---|
32 |
3 |
2 |
(3)(3) = 9 |
(- 3)2 |
- 3 |
2 |
(- 3)(- 3) = 9 |
- (3)2 |
3 |
2 |
- (3٠3) = - 9
|
- 32 |
3 |
2 |
- (3٠3) = - 9 |
These will cause problems when you are evaluating expressions so be careful. If you are using a calculator, you must enter them correctly or the calculator will give you a wrong answer. Experiment with your calculator to be sure you can do it correctly.
- 42