Arithmetic

How to solve

A power means repeated multiplication of the base. With a negative base in parentheses, the sign follows the exponent's parity.

Steps

  1. bⁿ multiplies b by itself n times.
  2. (−b)² is positive; (−b)³ is negative.
  3. Work one multiplication at a time to avoid slips.

Example

Evaluate (−3)^3.

  1. (−3)(−3) = 9.
  2. 9 · (−3) = −27.

Answer: -27

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