document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=254067>Question 254067</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi. I have a question concerning how exponents 'work'.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I understand how exponents 'work' like finding their value and how parenthesis change their value sometimes but that isn't my question. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "My question is why is it that sometimes exponents come out positive and negative without parenthesis. Like this example... -x^2=y<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I understand the concept sorta. To solve do you want to square x then take the negative result or you the negative value of x to square<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I know if you graph this equation out the graph will open down but then why is it a regular problem -x^2 is positive (It is poitive right?)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Why is it sometimes you get positive and negative answers for the similiar probblems.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Is it just with graphing?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Like when you have a negative exponent in graphing you always take the negative or what?<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Please help Thanks!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "PS. I'm unsure liike when someone ask me -2^2 if it is positive or negative </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #186372 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=richwmiller><B>richwmiller(17219)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=richwmiller><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/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=richwmiller><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=186372\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Any real number squared is positive.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The imaginary number i^2 =-1\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "A negative exponent has nothing to do with whether the number is positive or negative. x^(-2)=1/(x^2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I suspect you are confusing sqrt with squares<BR>\n" );
document.write( "square roots can be positive or negative<BR>\n" );
document.write( "sqrt(25) can be -5 or +5\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I am not sure what you mean by parentheses change their value.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The parentheses don't change the value. They just tell you what value to use\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "for example <BR>\n" );
document.write( " x^(2)*y means that only the 2 is the exponent<BR>\n" );
document.write( "whereas x^(2y) mean the 2y is the exponent\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "It would help if you can provide examples for your questions. </SPAN>\n" );
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