Question 46449
You start with {{{-6^2 + (-1)^4 }}}.
I would advise using brackets on the first term to help identify if it is positive or negative:
{{{-(6^2) + (-1)^4 }}}
If the power of an negative number is even, the result is even 
( (-1)^2=  -1 x -1 = 1).
I the pwer of a negative number is odd, the result is odd also.
So:
{{{-(6^2) + (-1)^4 = -36+1 =-35}}}
I hope this helps,
Adam.
P.S. check out my website at http://www.geocities.com/quibowibbler