Step by step
The question
Question: work out (−2)² + (−2²).
(−2)2 + (−22)
1 Powers
Powers come before plus.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
(−2)² means −2 times −2.
Minus times minus is plus.
(−2)2 = (−2) × (−2) = 4
That is 4.
= 4 + (−22)
Powers come before plus.
In −2², the power is only on the 2.
The minus stays in front.
Careful!
It is not (−2)².
Without brackets, the minus stays outside.
Careful: not −22 = 4 ✗
2² means 2 times 2.
22 = 2 × 2 = 4
That is 4.
= 4 + (−4)
2 Plus and minus
Adding a negative is the same as taking away.
+ (−) = −
So 4 + (−4) becomes 4 − 4.
= 4 − 4
4 minus 4 is 0.
= 0
So the answer is 0.
Let's look back.
First: powers.
Last: plus and minus.
Answer
= 0