This is about negative squared numbers.....yes I know its sooooooo confusing...?

Question

Ok I have a quick question that I hope yall can help me out with... why is 4 squared writtin 4(little 2 above the 4..I can't type it sry) and -4 squared written in parenthesis (-4) (little 2 above the 4....) sry I know that is so confusing but I dont know how to type it out..if you have any questions that would help you solve this better then just ask me and I will try my best to help you out...Thank you so much.....

Haley

Answer 1

if v dont write (-4)^2 then
it may imply : -4^2= -16 (your calculator wud give u this value)
(-4)^2 implies: (-4)*(-4)=16
-4^2 implies: -(4x4)=-16

Answer 2

Well I'm not an expert at math, but I'll try to help.

4^2 (four squared) is 4x4 which is 16

(-4)^2 is (-4) x (-4) which is also 16

The reason why it is written in parentheses is because of order of operations. Without the parentheses, (a calculator) would take 4, square it and then multiply it by -1.

So -4^2 on the calculator would be -16, not the same as (-4)^2 which is positive 16.

Hopefully I helped and didn't greater your confusion.

Answer 3

This is because exponent operations are performed before multiplication unless parentheses are present. -4 is really -1 x 4.

So while 4^2 and (-4)^2 are both 16, -4^2 = -16 because you do the 4^2 and then factor in the minus sign aferwards.

Answer 4

The (-4) is in parentheses because it helps to show that it's "(negative four) squared", and not "negative (four squared)". The former is equal to 16, and the latter is equal to -16, so it's important to use the parentheses correctly so that you get the right answer!

Answer 5

4(little 2)=4x4=16
(-4)(little 2)=(-4)x(-4)=16
I guess it is because when you write it out you put the 4 in ()
I don't really think there is a reason other than to keep it organized.

Answer 6

You're asking something about:

4²

and

(-4)²

What, actually is your question?

:)