SOLUTION: Are (-4)square and -4 squared the same answer?

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: Are (-4)square and -4 squared the same answer?      Log On


   

Question 653238: Are (-4)square and -4 squared the same answer?
Answer by Shana-D77(132) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Great question! They're not!
(-4)^2 = (-4)(-4)
-4^2 = (-1)(4)(4) <-- here, just the 4 is being squared.
In any negative number, there's a -1. So, -4 is really (-1)(4). Therefore, -4^2 is (-1)(4)(4). PEMDAS says to exponents before multiply so we do 4^2 before multiplying by the -1 out front.