SOLUTION: Please explain why -4^0 = -1 but (-5)^0 = 1. I can justify why the latter is true, but the former gives me trouble. I could see why -(4)^0 or -(4^0) = -1, but not how a

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: Please explain why -4^0 = -1 but (-5)^0 = 1. I can justify why the latter is true, but the former gives me trouble. I could see why -(4)^0 or -(4^0) = -1, but not how a      Log On


   

Question 932674: Please explain why
-4^0 = -1
but
(-5)^0 = 1.
I can justify why the latter is true, but the former gives me trouble. I could see why -(4)^0 or -(4^0) = -1, but not how as it is written above would be -1.
Thanks in advance.
Answer by richard1234(7193) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-4^0 is read and interpreted as -(4^0), which equals -1.