Identify Base and Exponent: Identify the base and the exponent. In the expression -7^(2), 7 is the base and it is raised to the exponent 2. However, the negative sign is not part of the base because it is outside the parentheses. Base: 7 Exponent: 2Choose Expanded Form: Choose the expanded form of -7^(2). Since the base is 7 and the exponent is 2, -7^(2) means -1 times 7 multiplied by itself once (since the negative sign is not raised to the power). Expanded Form of -7^(2): -1 × 7 × 7Multiply to Simplify: -7^(2) = -1 × 7 × 7 Multiply to write in simplest form. -7^(2) = -1 × 7 × 7 = -1 × 49 = -49 The simplest form of -7^(2) is -49.

Grade 8

Powers with negative bases

Full solution

Q. Evaluate.

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-7^{2}=

Identify Base and Exponent: Identify the base and the exponent. $\newline$ In the expression $-7^{2}$ , $7$ is the base and it is raised to the exponent $2$ . However, the negative sign is not part of the base because it is outside the parentheses. $\newline$ Base: $7$ $\newline$ Exponent: $2$
Choose Expanded Form: Choose the expanded form of $-7^{2}$ . $\newline$ Since the base is $7$ and the exponent is $2$ , $-7^{2}$ means $-1$ times $7$ multiplied by itself once (since the negative sign is not raised to the power). $\newline$ Expanded Form of $-7^{2}$ : $\newline$ $-1 \times 7 \times 7$
Multiply to Simplify: $-7^{2} = -1 \times 7 \times 7$ $\newline$ Multiply to write in simplest form. $\newline$ $-7^{2}$ $\newline$ $= -1 \times 7 \times 7$ $\newline$ $= -1 \times 49$ $\newline$ $= -49$ $\newline$ The simplest form of $-7^{2}$ is $-49$ .