Asked by Katie
If a=2
what is -a^2?
-4 or 4? Why?
what is -a^2?
-4 or 4? Why?
Answers
Answered by
Steve
since -x is just (-1)(x), and exponents are done first,
-a^2 = -(a^2) = -(2^2) = -(4) = -4
on the other hand, if you want to do the minus first, you need to say
(-2)^2 = (-2)(-2) = +4
-a^2 = -(a^2) = -(2^2) = -(4) = -4
on the other hand, if you want to do the minus first, you need to say
(-2)^2 = (-2)(-2) = +4
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