Negative Bases and Exponents

Subject: Math

Chapter: Repeated Multiplication and Powers

CCSS Alignment: 7.NS.A.2.c

Lesson Title: Negative Bases And Exponents

Introduction

Negative bases and exponents are important con...

You are doing homework and come across two expressions: (−7)² and −7². They look almost the same, but do they give the same answer? Let’s find out.

To understand this, remember that an exponent shows repeated multiplication, and the base is the number being multiplied.

First look at (−7)². The parentheses show that −7 is the base. T...