Evaluating Arithmetic Expression

[Britt]

I need help figuring out what the little 2 next to an equation means this is what my problem looks like I have the answer but I can't figure out how it was found out. (3)(-4)2 - (3)(-5) so the 2 next to the 4 in parentheses is little.

 

[Ackbach]

I need help figuring out what the little 2 next to an equation means this is what my problem looks like I have the answer but I can't figure out how it was found out. (3)(-4)2 - (3)(-5) so the 2 next to the 4 in parentheses is little.

Do you mean $(3)(-4)^{2}-(3)(-5)?$ If so, the small raised '2' is an exponent. That is a shorthand notation for multiplying something by itself a certain number of times.

 

[SDAlgebra]

My tip: BIMDAS!!!

-4 squared is 16 as I have shown. And then open the brackets. (3)(16) - 3 + 5

3x16 = 48

-3+5 = 2

48 + 2 = 50

But yeah, as Ackbach said, a little 2 is a squared sign meaning to multiply it by itself.

 

[jonah]

Beer soaked ramblings follow.

My tip: BIMDAS!!!

-4 squared is 16 as I have shown. And then open the brackets. (3)(16) - 3 + 5

3x16 = 48

-3+5 = 2

48 + 2 = 50

But yeah, as Ackbach said, a little 2 is a squared sign meaning to multiply it by itself.

8 year old thread revived.