Are the expressions (-2)^4 and -2^4 equivalent? Explain how you know.

• pegah: they are not equivalent. 
  because (-2)^4 is in the parenthesis so the - before 2 are together and both will go to the 4 power so the answer will be: (-2)^4 = 16 
  but the other one is not in the parenthesis so the - will not go to the 4 power and the answer will be: -2^4 = -16 
  so 16 is not equivalent to -16 :)))
  i hope this is helpful 
  have a nice day 
• apologiabiology: no, becasue of PEMDAS
  so parenthasees first
  exponents next
  mulitplciation next
  
  (-2)^4=-2 times -2 times -2 times -2=positive number since even number of negative signs
  
  -2^4=-1 times 2^2=-1 times 2 times 2 times 2 times 2=negative number since odd number of negative signs