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powers of exponents

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Re: powers of exponents

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:25 pm
vladmire wrote:What is the difference when saying

-2^2 = -4

(-2)^2 = 4

why is there a negative in one answer and not the other should they not both be positive
As written, they both yield +4. However, if one were to add brackets to clarify the top it would make sense:

-(2^2) = -4
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Hmm.

by vladmire » Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:32 pm
Ok I understand that on the Gmat you cannot use a calculator, but if I put -2^2 into the calculator it comes up with -4.
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