Im A bit rusty, so I need a refresher and maybe an explanation on negatives and exponents. The problem I have is -7^2 I thought it was 49 my calculator says its -49. what would -7^2 be equal to? for example 4^2 = 4*4=16 so why doesn't -7^2= - 7 *- 7 because that would be 49 but it's not it's -49 why is that the case?

Holt Mcdougal Larson Pre-algebra: Student Edition 2012
1st Edition
ISBN:9780547587776
Author:HOLT MCDOUGAL
Publisher:HOLT MCDOUGAL
Chapter4: Factors, Fractions, And Exponents
Section4.7: Scientific Notation
Problem 2E
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Im A bit rusty, so I need a refresher and maybe an explanation on negatives and exponents. The problem I have is -7^2 I thought it was 49 my calculator says its -49. what would -7^2 be equal to?

for example 4^2 = 4*4=16

so why doesn't -7^2= - 7 *- 7 because that would be 49 but it's not it's -49 why is that the case? 

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