SOLUTION: Why is this a Positive answer? -(-5)^3 = 125 Why is this a Negative answer? -7^2 = -49 I got -125 and 49, but the practice question came out this way. Thank you!

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Question 760902: Why is this a Positive answer? -(-5)^3 = 125
Why is this a Negative answer? -7^2 = -49
I got -125 and 49, but the practice question came out this way.
Thank you!
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Note that if you have an odd number of negative
factors, you get a negative result:
(-) x (-) x (-) = (-)
+-%28-5%29%5E3+=+-%28+%28-5%29%2A%28-5%29%2A%28-5%29+%29+
+-%28+%28-5%29%2A%28-5%29%2A%28-5%29+%29+=+-%28+-125+%29+
+-%28+-125+%29+=+125+
--------------------
+-7%5E2+=+-%28+7%2A7+%29+=+-49+
Note that the minus in front is really a
shorthand for +%28-1%29%2A7%5E2+
If they showed it this way:
+%28+-7+%29%5E2+ then you get
+%28+-7+%29%5E2+=+49+