SOLUTION: -6 to 2nd power and (-6)to the 2nd power equal explain

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Question 9265: -6 to 2nd power and (-6)to the 2nd power equal explain
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is a REALLY important concept.

-6%5E2 with no parentheses means that ONLY the 6 is to be squared. It means -6%2A6 which is -36. In other words the negative is NOT squared!

%28-6%29%5E2 WITH parentheses, means that the negative as well as the 6 is squared. It means %28-6%29%2A%28-6%29+ which is 36.

Thanks for a GREAT question! It's one that EVERYONE in algebra needs to know, and one that I enjoy answering.

R^2 at SCC