Question 10559
It's not completely clear what you mean.  Since you did not use parentheses, I will assume you did not mean for me to use any parentheses in this problem.  


{{{-5^4}}}.  This means to take 5 and raise it to the 4th power (which is 625), then take the negative of this result, for a final answer of -625.


However, just in case you really meant this:  {{{ (-5)^4}}}, I'll work it this way too, no extra charge!!  IF you meant this, then it means take the number -5 and raise it to the 4th power.  It means (-5)(-5)(-5)(-5) = 625.


Take your pick.  Actually, this is a VERY important concept, to know the difference in these two DIFFERENT problems.  


R^2 at SCC