Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency
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(- a)^5=(- a)* (- a)* (- a)* (- a)* (- a)
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The expression (-2)^5, or -2 to the fifth power,
can be written as the product of five -2
terms.
Note that when multiplying two negative numbers, we obtain a positive number.
(- a)(- a) = a* a
Rewrite (-2)^5 as (-2)* (-2)* (-2)* (-2)* (-2)
(- a)(- b)=a* b
Multiply
a(- b)=- a * b
Using a calculator, we can either enter (-2)^5 or -2*-2*-2*-2. Both expressions give us the same answer.