Evaluate -5^4

Problem

−5

Solution

1. Identify the order of operations. According to the rules of exponents, the exponent applies only to the base immediately to its left.

2. Determine the base. In the expression −5 the base is 5 not −5 The negative sign is treated as a multiplication by −1

3. Calculate the power. Evaluate 5 raised to the power of 4

5=5⋅5⋅5⋅5

5=625

4. Apply the negative sign to the result of the exponentiation.

−1⋅625=−625

Final Answer

−5=−625

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