2-answer.jpeg "(-3)2 Answer")
Understanding (-3)^2: Why the Answer is 9
The expression (-3)^2 might seem straightforward, but it often causes confusion. Here's a clear breakdown to understand why the answer is 9, not -9.
The Power of Exponents
An exponent, like the '2' in (-3)^2, tells us how many times to multiply the base number (in this case, -3) by itself.
Order of Operations
To correctly solve this, we need to follow the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS or BODMAS:
- Parentheses (or Brackets)
- Exponents (or Orders)
- Multiplication and Division (from left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)
Applying the Rules
- Parentheses/Brackets: There are no parentheses in this problem.
- Exponents: We need to calculate (-3)^2. This means multiplying -3 by itself twice: (-3) * (-3) = 9
- Multiplication and Division: No other operations are involved.
The Result
Therefore, (-3)^2 = 9. Remember that the exponent applies to the entire base, including the negative sign.