Would someone please check my work? -4(2)^2?

Question

-4(2)^2
= (-4)(2)(2)
= (-8)(2)
=-16

or

-4(2)^2
=-8^2
=-16

Are both considered correct? I don't remember if the order of operation kicks in and you do what's in the parentheses first, which would be (2)^2, or multiply the -4(2)....

Thanks,

OOPS, THE SECOND PROBLEM SHOULD OF BEEN 64 ! SORRY

Answer 1

First one is right, you do the power first, the multiply.

The second isn't right however.

Answer 2

the first one is correct
-4(2)^2
you start with the square so 2^2 = 2*2 = 4
then multiply -4 by 4 ans get 16

now if the problem was (-4*2)^2 then the seconde solution would be correct because you have to start from the parentheses first (-4*2)=-8 then -8^2=64

Answer 3

The first answer is correct:

The order of operations is as follows:

Parentheses
Exponents
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Subtration

With Mult/Div being equal in importance as well as addition/subtraction.

You need to square the 2 first and then multiply by the -4; yielding -16.

Your first thoughts were correct! Best of Luck!

Answer 4

The first is correct. This is a great example of why Order of Operations is necessary. -4(2)^2 is different from [-4(2)]^2.

GIven the problem situation, you should be able to tell someone else in mathematical language how to solve your problem. Order of operations isn't "proveable;" it's a tool!

Answer 5

Think about it.

If you square 2 and then multiply your answer by -4, you get -16.

However, if you multiply -4 by 2 and then square your answer, you get 64.

NOTE: For -4(2)^2, you must square 2 only BUT not -4. See that?

The correct answer is -16.

Guido

Answer 6

-4(2)^2
= (-4)(2)(2)
= (-8)(2)
=-16

is correct ... "precedence of operations" means
that the (2)^2 is performed first

and the multiplications which follow yield -16

Answer 7

the first one w/ answer of -16 is correct!

Answer 8

check!