Exponents and Roots

Even powers of negative numbers

Be very careful to distinguish between these problems. The placement of the parentheses makes a difference!                    

 BaseExponentEvaluate

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.

 Skill Check 1

 Skill Check 2

 Skill Check 3

- 42

 Skill Check 4

 

 


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