Marcus and Jeremy both evaluated the expression −52 + 3. Marcus said the answer was −22. Jeremy said the answer was 28. Who is correct? Explain the error in the other student’s work.

Answer 1

As worded, literally, you have

-52 + 3,

which equals -49. Perhaps you really meant to say

-5² + 3

If so, then you get

-25 + 3 = -22

Or perhaps you meant to say

(-5)² + 3

which gives

25 + 3 = 28