this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2025
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No, PEMDAS.
You do the exponent first, then multiplication.
-3² = -1 * 3²
or
-3² = (-1)(3²)
(-3)² would be how you'd represent what you are interpreting it as.
Your interpretation:
-3² != (-3)² = (-1(3))² = (-1 * 3)² = 9
vs
Correct Interpretation:
-3² = -3² = (-1)(3²) = -1 * 3² = -9
EDIT:
Every time you see a - directly infront of a number, say...
-x
...and there is no space to indicate the - represents a subtraction operator, such as in...
y - x
...the immediate prefix - actually represents:
(-1)x
or
-1 * x
Due to PEMDAS, if the exponent ² or ^2 is attached to...
-x² or -x^2
... this actually represents
(-1)(x²) or -1 * x^2
... such that PEMDAS is upheld, and the exponent recieves computational primacy.
EDIT 2:
I don't make these rules, but this is how it works.
Double check in wolfram alpha if you doubt it.
Well, in my defense, that's has the uglies.