Question

please help: when entering a exponential like10^x-x^2 into a graphing calculator should I just put in 10^x-x^2 or 10^(x-x^2), with parentheses? I get 2 different outputs

Answer 1

The rule is "order of operations" Parentheses, exponents, multiply/divide, add/subtract, and then left to right.

what that means is
10^x is done first
then x^2 is done
finally, subtract the two.

(10^x) - (x^2)

* I just put in 10^x-x^2 * this is the correct way

It is the same as doing 10^x and saving the answer, say in A
doing x^2 and saving the answer in B
then subtracting the two results: A- B

Answer 2

thanks I ask because when I check the answer in the back of my math book for other problems I am usually wrong if I just put in, for example a^x-,2 but when I put in a^(x-2) its right so its kind of confusing me

Answer 3

if a problem is written as
\[ a^{x-2} \]
then you need to put in a^(x-2)

if the problem is written as
\[ a^x -2 \] then you put in a^x -2

Answer 4

probably sounded like a dumb question but thank you!

Answer 5

Nobody is born knowing this. you have to learn it.