Can u explain this to me?
-3^2 = -9 (It says "take the negative of 3 squared.")
(-3)^2 = 9 (It says "square negative 3.")

Question

Can u explain this to me?
-3^2 = -9 (It says "take the negative of 3 squared.")
(-3)^2 = 9 (It says "square negative 3.")

mertsj · Answer

The negative sign means "the opposite of".  So (-3)^2 means take the opposite of 3 and square it.  (Remember do what is inside the parentheses first.)
-3^2 means square 3 and then take the opposite.  (Remember powers first)

mertsj · Answer

It might help to see it with a binomial:  (-a-3)^2   or -(a-3)^2

anonymous · Answer

but isn't two like sign numbers mean positive in multiplication.
-3^2= (-3)(-3)=+9

mertsj · Answer

What is this:  3^2

anonymous · Answer

(3)(3)=9

mertsj · Answer

What is this:  (-3)^2

anonymous · Answer

(-3)(-3)=+9

mertsj · Answer

What is the opposite of this:  3^2?

anonymous · Answer

-9

mertsj · Answer

How would I write that without using words?

anonymous · Answer

-3^2 = -9

mertsj · Answer

What is negative 3 squared?

anonymous · Answer

positive 9?

mertsj · Answer

How would I write that without using words?

anonymous · Answer

:S

anonymous · Answer

it could not be written the same

mertsj · Answer

The question is not whether or not it could be written the same.  The question is how would I write it without using words.

anonymous · Answer

idk

mertsj · Answer

(-3)^2
That is negative 3 squared.

anonymous · Answer

so whenever there's negative sign at the front, without parenthesis, the answer will be always the opposite?