Question

PLEASE help me with this simple problem. Me and my friend have been arguing for over an hour.

I argue that -5^2 = 25.
He argues that -5^2 = -25.

Who is correct?

Answer 1

Your friend.

Answer 2

-5^2=-25
(-5)^2 = 25
It all boils down to the priority of operators.

Answer 3

\[(-5)^2 = 25\]
howeer..
\[-5^2 = -25\]

Answer 4

lol beat me to it

Answer 5

Wow.. Really? So -5^2 IS NOT -5*-5?

Answer 6

Probably by a nanosecond!! :)
But great minds think alike!

Answer 7

nope

Answer 8

-5^2 = -(5 * 5)

Answer 9

I'm almost positive I've always learned differently, but thank you guys!

Answer 10

the exponent is only for 5. the negative sign is not raised

Answer 11

... unless parentheses are present.

Answer 12

This needs to be closed