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Example entries -4^2 or (-4)^2 will result in different answers. Note that -4^2 = -1 * 4 * 4 = -16 while (-4)^2 = (-4) * (-4) = 16. See notes below.
Exponent Notation:
This is a calculator with exponents. The number that follows the carat symbol (^) is the exponent value.
"When a minus sign occurs with exponential notation, a certain caution is in order. For example, (-4)^2 means that -4 is to be raised to the second power. Hence (-4)^2 = (-4) * (-4) = 16. On the other hand, -4^2 represents the additive inverse of 4^2. Thus -4^2 = -16. It may help to think of -x^2 as -1 * x^2 ..."[1]
Example:
- 3 raised to the power of 4 is written as 3 ^ 4 = 81.
- -4 raised to the power of 2 is written (-4)^2 = 16.
- -3 raised to the power of 3 is written (-3) ^ 3 = -27. Note that in this case -3 ^ 3 = -1 * 3 * 3 * 3 = (-3) ^ 3 = -3 * -3 * -3 = -27.
- For 0 raised to the 0 power the answer is 1 however this is considered a definition and not an actual calculation.
References
[1] Algebra and Trigonometry: A Functions Approach; M. L. Keedy and Marvin L. Bittinger; Addison Wesley Publishing Company; 1982, page 11.
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/55709.html
For more detail on Exponent Theory see http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ExponentLaws.html
To calculate fractional exponents use our Fractional Exponents Calculator.
To calculate root or radicals use our Roots Calculator.
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