(-2)*(-2) is 4 but this would be written as (-2)2 which is different from the given problem.
Alex C.
asked • 09/01/16Multiplying exponents with different bases
-33 * -22
Is the answer -108?
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3 Answers By Expert Tutors
Arturo O. answered • 09/01/16
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The product of 2 negative numbers is positive.
(-33)(-22) = (-27)(-4) = 108
Arturo O.
As stated, the problem says -22, which by order of math operations, is -(22). If you meant (-2)*(-2), then it should be written as (-2)2, not as -22. If (-2)2 is what was intended, then yes, (-2)2 = 4, and the answer in that case is (-27)(4) = -108.
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09/01/16
Kenneth S. answered • 09/01/16
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Before multiplying, you must exponentiate in each case. Your formulation is extremely awkward in that you do not have parentheses, and that means that there are two consecutive signs (* and -) in your expression--that's "illegal."
To simplify the first part, before the multiplication (*) symbol, you get -27. Now it's questionable what the other factor to be used in multiplication is. By itself, -22 = -4.
So if you intended -33 * (-22 ), your answer will be -27(-4) = 108.
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Alex C.
09/01/16