Question

Is there a difference between -7² and (-7)²

Answer 1

yes ......... with the first one it can be -49........with second one it is just 49

Answer 2

\[-7^2 = -49, ~~~ (-7)^2 = (-7)(-7) = 49 \]

Answer 3

Brackets matter :)

Answer 4

\(\bf -7^2\to -1\cdot 7^2\to -1\cdot 7\cdot 7\to -1\cdot 49\to {\color{brown}{ -49}}
\\ \quad \\ \quad \\
(-7)^2\to (-7)\cdot (-7)\to {\color{brown}{ +49}}\)