document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=232453>Question 232453</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Are these equal: -3^2, -(3)^2, (-3)^2? </SPAN>\n" );
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document.write( "They look like they are all equal but they are not. The parenthesis makes the difference. The first one -3^2 = 9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The second one -(3)^2 = -9    Here the exponent is working for the 3 not the minus sign.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The third one (-3)^2 = 9 since the exponent is now working on the -3.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "RJ Toftness<BR>\n" );
document.write( "www.math-unlock.com </SPAN>\n" );
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