Understanding $-2^2$ and $(-2)^2$

Question

This question might seem a bit remedial to most of you guys, but this is my first math class after a decade out of school.

This post is regarding the following:

-2²

I’m having a hard time understanding why the base is negative and not the exponent. Plus, how does (-2)² differ from -2² ?

Any help is appreciated and thanks!

Usually $-2^2$ means $-(2^2)$ which is $-4$. On the other hand, $(-2)^2=(-2)\cdot(-2)=4$. — 2017-02-03

user id:115996 2k · Accepted Answer

Well, $(-2)^2=(-2)\times(-2)=4$ whereas $-2^2=-(2^2)=-4$.

user id:369983 1k · Accepted Answer

You can see that both $-(2)^2 $ and $(-2)^2$ are different.

Also $2^{-2}=\dfrac {1}{2^2}$

2 Answers 2