SOLUTION: (-2) to the 5th power + (-5) to the 2nd power. I get really confused on how to do these. I have tried over and over again and I still can't get the right answer.

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: (-2) to the 5th power + (-5) to the 2nd power. I get really confused on how to do these. I have tried over and over again and I still can't get the right answer.      Log On


   



Question 482001: (-2) to the 5th power + (-5) to the 2nd power. I get really confused on how to do these. I have tried over and over again and I still can't get the right answer.
Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, josmiceli:
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%28-2%29%5E5+%2B+%28-5%29%5E2=%28-2%29%28-2%29%28-2%29%28-2%29%28-2%29+%2B+%28-5%29%28-5%29...be careful with negative sign: %28-2%29%2A%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29=4%2A4%2A%28-2%29=16%28-2%29=-32
%28-2%29%5E5+%2B+%28-5%29%5E2=-32+%2B+25
%28-2%29%5E5+%2B+%28-5%29%5E2=-7

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
+%28-2%29%5E5+%2B+%28-5%29%5E2+
You can always write these out the long way
( if the numbers aren't very big ) and look at them
+%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29%2A%28-2%29+%2B+%28-5%29%2A%28-5%29+
The main thing to notice is that there are an odd number of
(-2)'s and an even number of (-5)'s
Think of the (-2)'s grouped in pairs with one left over
(-2)*(-2) this is positive
(-2)*(-2) also positive
(-2) this is negative
So, you have (+) x (+) x (-) = (-)
---------------------------
What if it was +%28-2%29%5E67+ ?
You would pair these up the same way, so you'd have
a bunch of (+) x (+) x (+) . . . etc and one (-) left. that would
give you a minus result
--------------------
Back to your problem, then
+%28-2%29%5E5+=+-32+
and
+%28-5%29%5E2+=+25+
+-32+%2B+25+=+-7+
OK?