SOLUTION: Are these equal: -3^2, -(3)^2, (-3)^2?

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Question 232453: Are these equal: -3^2, -(3)^2, (-3)^2?
Answer by unlockmath(1688) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hello,
They look like they are all equal but they are not. The parenthesis makes the difference. The first one -3^2 = 9
The second one -(3)^2 = -9 Here the exponent is working for the 3 not the minus sign.
The third one (-3)^2 = 9 since the exponent is now working on the -3.
RJ Toftness
www.math-unlock.com