Question

Haley’s work evaluating (Negative 2) Superscript 8 is shown below.

(Negative 2) Superscript 8 = (negative 2) (negative 2) (negative 2) (negative 2) (negative 2) (negative 2) (negative 2) (negative 2) = negative 256

Which statement best describe Haley’s first error?
She used the wrong number as a repeated factor and should have evaluatedNegative 2 times 2 times 2 times 2 times 2 times 2 times 2 times 2.
She used the wrong number as a repeated factor and should have evaluated Negative (8 times 8).
She misinterpreted the exponential form and should have multiplied –2 and 8.
She made a sign error when multiplying and should have had 256 as a final answer.

Answer 1

Answer: She made a sign error when multiplying and should have had 256 as a final answer.

Explanation: (-2)^8 = (-2)(-2)(-2)(-2)(-2)(-2)(-2)(-2). Multiplying an even number (8) of negative factors gives a positive result, so the product is +256.