-3^2

**Draven** · Nov26-09, 02:16 PM

I thought powers were things like (using the example in the title): -3 * -3 = 9

But when I enter -3^2 in my calculator, I get -9. I thought a negative multiplied by a negative was a positive. What's going on here?

**pbandjay** · Nov26-09, 02:19 PM

It squares the three before multiplying by negative one.

(-3)² = (-3)(-3) = 9
-3² = -(3)(3) = -9

**Doc Al** · Nov26-09, 02:21 PM

The calculator assumes that you mean -3², not (-3)². Try entering 3, then using the +/- key to change its sign, then hit the square key.

**Draven** · Nov26-09, 02:31 PM

Ah, I see! Thanks very much!