ok on the calculator when i punch in
-2 to the power of 4 i get -16
and when i punch in
(-2) to the power of 4 i get 16 why ?
can someone please explain

Question

ok on the calculator when i punch in 
-2 to the power of 4 i get -16
 and when i punch in 
(-2) to the power of 4 i get 16 why ? 
can someone please explain

saifoo.khan · Answer

There is a difference, 

-2^4
-1(2*2*2*2)
-1(16)
-16

in (-2^4)
-2*-2*-2*-2
16

anonymous · Answer

the first one doesnt include the negative sign, its just adding a negative sign to 2 to the power of 4
the other way, its the whole number, -2, to the power of 4

aroub · Answer

lol i love how u punch it in..

(-2)^4 when ever u have a even exponent the number becomes positive (2)^4 

this is like saying 2*2*2*2 = 16 or 4*4=16  

-2^4 = -2*-2*-2*-2= -16

anonymous · Answer

thanks