Identify Base and Exponent: Identify the base and the exponent. In the expression -2^2, 2 is the base raised to the exponent 2, and there is a negative sign in front of the base. Base: 2 Exponent: 2 Negative Sign: YesApply Exponent to Base: Apply the exponent to the base. Since the base is 2 and the exponent is 2, 2^2 means 2 is multiplied by itself once. Calculation: 2 × 2 = 4Apply Negative Sign: Apply the negative sign. The negative sign in front of the base is not raised to the power, so it remains outside. Calculation: - (2^2) = -4

Grade 8

Powers with negative bases

Full solution

Q. Evaluate.

\newline

-2^{2}=

Identify Base and Exponent: Identify the base and the exponent. $\newline$ In the expression $-2^2$ , $2$ is the base raised to the exponent $2$ , and there is a negative sign in front of the base. $\newline$ Base: $2$ $\newline$ Exponent: $2$ $\newline$ Negative Sign: Yes
Apply Exponent to Base: Apply the exponent to the base. $\newline$ Since the base is $2$ and the exponent is $2$ , $2^2$ means $2$ is multiplied by itself once. $\newline$ Calculation: $2 \times 2 = 4$
Apply Negative Sign: Apply the negative sign. $\newline$ The negative sign in front of the base is not raised to the power, so it remains outside. $\newline$ Calculation: $- (2^2) = -4$