This is a common frustration among math students.
Evaluate the following expression…….
– 2 ²
You might think that the answer will be positive.
However in this case the exponent does not apply to the negative sign twice; therefore the answer is negative because the transformation of the expression is -2 x 2 = -4
If brackets surround the expression, as in (-2)²; the answer is then positive. – 2 x – 2 = 4
What happens when the negative sign is outside the brackets as in – (2)² ?
You must use BEDMAS to evaluate/solve. Remove the brackets (remember there is an invisible 1 between the negative sign and the bracket). Therefore – 1 (2) becomes – 2
Then apply the exponent to the expression – 2 ²
The answer is negative 4.