What is the answer???

[Fierlin1182]

We're meant to be learning this at school

I should pay more attention.

Erm, well, if it's (-2)^4 it's 16, but as you want the NEGATIVE of 2^4 it would be -16.

 

[anderson8505]

This is why I teach Social Studies.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Quote:
OK, proof positive why one should just do the math...! I promise - I won't cheat again

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

The answer is -16, unless the problem is written (-2)^4

 

[ECBW]

There is no parenthesis to specify order of operation.

A bunch of us middle agers think the answer is 16, but school math teacher is saying -16. We used calculators and found that TI returns -16, Casio and IPhone return 16. When you search the internet you would find both... below is one from Answers.com...


What does -2 to the 4th power equal?

In:Math, Algebra, Arithmetic [Edit categories]
Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Jobs & Education > Education > School Subjects > Math > What does -2 to the 4th power equal?
Answer:

Improve

-2x-2x-2x-2= 16 (positive)

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_-2_to_the_4th_power_equal#ixzz1acTlsOMu

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
Then it is -16.

DH and I talked about it again and if it was: (-2)^4 = -16, because it's -2 to the 4th power, but -2^4 = 16 is interpreted as the negative of 2^4 which is -16.

This is why I let him handle all our kids math problems.

 

[maple]

Quote:

uh, no?

 

[maple]

k, I'm gonna consult belle's hubby for kid's math problems too.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Don't worry, I assure you the answer is -16! Mathematically anyway. If the teacher just forgot the parentheses, or doesn't understand how they work, they may say the answer is wrong, but -16 is definitely, definitely right.