Why is a negative to the power of 2 A negative?

When we calculate an exponent of a negative number, then the result depends on the power of the number. If it is odd, then the result is negative. Here, we know that 2 is even. Hence, any negative number to the power of 2 is positive.

Is the exponent of a negative number negative?

Negative exponents tell us that the power of a number is negative and it applies to the reciprocal of the number. We know that an exponent refers to the number of times a number is multiplied by itself. For example, 32 = 3 × 3.

What is the negative of 2?

The negative of -2 is 2.

Why does the negative exponent rule work?

A negative exponent helps to show that a base is on the denominator side of the fraction line. In other words, the negative exponent rule tells us that a number with a negative exponent should be put to the denominator, and vice versa. For example, when you see x^-3, it actually stands for 1/x^3.

Can exponents be negative?

A positive exponent tells us how many times to multiply a base number, and a negative exponent tells us how many times to divide a base number. We can rewrite negative exponents like x⁻ⁿ as 1 / xⁿ.

Is negative 2 squared positive or negative?

In fact, any number at all can be squared, even numbers like pi and 0. This is because to square a number just means to multiply it by itself. For example, (-2) squared is (-2)(-2) = 4. Note that this is positive because when you multiply two negative numbers you get a positive result.

Is a negative number squared a negative?

Since squaring a negative number is basically multiplying the negative number by the same negative number, the answer will be positive.

Why is a negative number raised to an even power positive?

Note the pattern: A negative number taken to an even power gives a positive result (because the pairs of negatives cancel), and a negative number taken to an odd power gives a negative result (because, after cancelling, there will be one minus sign left over).

Why is a positive number raised to a negative power positive?

Negative exponents rules Quotient of powers rule: Subtract powers when dividing like bases. Zero power rule: Any base raised to the power of zero becomes one. Negative exponent rule: To change a negative exponent to a positive one, flip it into a reciprocal.