document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=30468>Question 30468</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> First, I'm told that -X can be read as -1*X where the 1 is not written because it is \"understood\" and when X=9, -x= -1* +9 or -9.  It would also follow that if X=-9 then -X=-1*-9 or +9.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I'm also told that a negetive number times a negetive number yeilds a positive answer.  I know that 6^2=36 so it makes sense that <BR>\n" );
document.write( "-6^2 would mean -6*-6 or +36.  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "My problem is that when I enter -6^2 into my graphing calculator, I get -36.  When I enter it into my scientific calculator I get +36.  A teacher explained that I should read -6 like I read -X, as -1*+6^2= -36.  Another teacher explained that -6^2 means (-6)*(-6)and that the answer is infact +36.  Which teacher and which calculator is right? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #17115 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Earlsdon><B>Earlsdon(6294)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Earlsdon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=17115\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Confusion reigns!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The first explanation of <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6%5E2+=+-36 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6%5E2+=+-36\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > is correct. Why?  because:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6%5E2+=+%28-1%29%286%5E2%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6%5E2+=+%28-1%29%286%5E2%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28-1%29%286%29%286%29+=+%28-1%29%2836%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28-1%29%286%29%286%29+=+%28-1%29%2836%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-36 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-36\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Whereas:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28-6%29%5E2+=+%28-6%29%28-6%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28-6%29%5E2+=+%28-6%29%28-6%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=36 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"36\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "In the TI-86, when you enter: <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-6%5E2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-6%5E2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > you get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-36 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-36\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > and when you enter <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%28-6%29%5E2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%28-6%29%5E2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > you get <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=36 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"36\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > <BR>\n" );
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