Evaluate.

Question

\[(-5)^2 - (-2)^4 = \]

Answer 1

We have $(-5)^2 = (-5)(-5) = 25$ and $(-2)^4 = (-2)(-2)(-2)(-2) = 16.$ Therefore, $(-5)^2 - (-2)^4 = \boxed{25 - 16 = 9}.$