Question

Simplify the expression
-5^4(^=squared)

A. -625
B. 625
C. 125
D. 20

Answer 1

The negative sign is in front of the \[5^{4}\] so we do the operation and ignore the negative sign until the end. \[5^{4}\] = 625. And then, including the negative sign, the answer would be -625.

Just a note for any future problems: Only include the negative sign when doing the operation if and only if it is included in a parenthesis. For example if the question was \[(-5)^{4}\] the answer would be 625.

Answer 2

So its -625 or 625?

Answer 3

Its -625 for this problem - the bottom part is just a note for if you have future problems similar to this one.

Answer 4

Oh alright thanks man. That actually helped me out a lot! :p