do parentheses matter in exponents for a solution?

Question

[(-5)³]⁴

Answer 1

Parentheses matter in exponents. Consider ((-5)³)⁴ our example and (-5)^(3⁴).  The first is (-5)¹², the second (-5)⁸¹

 

Answer 2

yes, karen, they matter.  the order of operations is defined by the parentheses.  In this case:

 

you would cube -5 and then raise that value to the 4th power.  

 

To me, this is an acceptable answer.  However, your teacher might want you to simplify this to -5¹².