Step by step
The question
Question: work out −3².
−32
1 Work out the power
In −3², the power is only on the 3.
The minus stays in front.
Careful!
It is not (−3)².
Without brackets, the minus stays outside.
Careful: not −32 = 9 ✗
3² means 3 times 3.
32 = 3 × 3 = 9
That is 9.
= −9
So the answer is −9.
Answer
= −9