# Exponent on Negative Number

So from what I am thinking, would it be wrong to think that in the equation -3^2 = -9, then the dash in front of the 3 is a subtraction symbol. So if we have subtraction a dash symbol and negative numbers a superscript dash symbol, then the dash in front of 3 would be a regular dash and the dash in front of 9 would be superscript dash.

So it would seem that if the dash in front of 3 were superscript, then the answer would be positive 9.
There aren't different types of dash symbols. You only have two types.

1) Substraction. This is a binary operation between two numbers. Like $3-9$ and $1-1$.

2) Negative of a number. This is a unary operation on one number, like $-3$.

The two are linked by $0-x=-x$ and $x-y = x+(-y)$.

So $-3^2$ can be seen as $0-3^2$ if you want, but the result is still $-9$. The only way you can get this to yield $9$ is by inserting brackets.

There aren't different types of dash symbols. You only have two types.

1) Substraction. This is a binary operation between two numbers. Like $3-9$ and $1-1$.

2) Negative of a number. This is a unary operation on one number, like $-3$.

The two are linked by $0-x=-x$ and $x-y = x+(-y)$.

So $-3^2$ can be seen as $0-3^2$ if you want, but the result is still $-9$. The only way you can get this to yield $9$ is by inserting brackets.
Yes yes I have nothing wrong with the answer, but to get that answer the dash must represent subtraction, right? Parenthesis around dash and the number (e.g. (-3)^2) is just to clarify that the dash is the symbol for negative and not subtraction.
So -3^2 is actually 0 - (3^2), which is the subtraction of the square of a positive number.

Yes yes I have nothing wrong with the answer, but to get that answer the dash must represent subtraction, right? Parenthesis around dash and the number (e.g. (-3)^2) is just to clarify that the dash is the symbol for negative and not subtraction.
No. The dash in $-x$ just means "take the negative of $x$".
Similarly, if we write $-3^2$, then this means "take the negative of $3^2$," which is $-9$.

No. The dash in $-x$ just means "take the negative of $x$".
Similarly, if we write $-3^2$, then this means "take the negative of $3^2$," which is $-9$.
So what you are saying is that -3^2 = -1(3^2)

So like the subtraction, the dash is not stating the 3 is negative, it is either saying subtraction or multiplying by -1 (that is a negative 1 confirmed) :D

I also added a bit more on previous post.