+23254 -2^2 is evaluated as -(2^2) = -4
The exponent is used before the negative sign is used; that is, find the value of 2^2, and then make your answer negative. The order of operations says to do the squaring first and then apply the negative.
In (-2)^2, the order of operation says that you do what's inside parentheses first (in other words, you turn the two into a negative two first) and then you square the answer.
So, be careful when using a calculator; if you want to square a negative 6, enter it as (-6)^2.
+23254 -2^2 is evaluated as -(2^2) = -4
The exponent is used before the negative sign is used; that is, find the value of 2^2, and then make your answer negative. The order of operations says to do the squaring first and then apply the negative.
In (-2)^2, the order of operation says that you do what's inside parentheses first (in other words, you turn the two into a negative two first) and then you square the answer.
So, be careful when using a calculator; if you want to square a negative 6, enter it as (-6)^2.
