I'm simplifying -2 to the -2nd power. when I change it to 1 over -2 to the 2nd power should the -2 also go positive?

Question

-2^-2 =  1   ?

         -2²

 

or

 

-2^-2 =  1   ?

           2²

Answer 1

The leading minus sign does NOT participate in the exponentiation because the base is not enclosed in parentheses.

 

The answer to -2^-2 is -¼.

Answer 2

You need to specify with parenthesis as Kenneth said:

 

(-2)^-2 = 1/(-2)² = 1/4

 

-2^-2 = -1/2² = -1/4

Answer 3

No. The exponent changes. It works the other way, too...

 

1/-2^-2 = -2²