What is -1^2 equal to ?

Question

What is -1^2 equal to ?

Answer 1

-1^2 means -1 multiplied by -1.

When you multiply two negative numbers they become positive.

So -1 x -1 = 1

Answer 2

any number to the second power is just multiplying it by it self

so you woulld really be saying what is -1 times -1

then, any negative times another negative will always be a positive.

meaning you can pretend the negative signs arnt even there and you do 1 times 1

which clearly is 1

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

1 because -1 squared is = to -1 times -1. Two negitive numbers when multiplied by each other = a positive.

Answer 5

that depends:

if it is -(1)^2

the answer is -1

if it is (-1)^2

the answer is 1

Answer 6

-1^2 is equal to -1.

According to the order of operations, you square first, then attach negative sign.

I have a brief write up of this, see the following:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3675422/notes

Answer 7

Kuhl De got a thumbs down, but he is absolutely right--

as it is written (using order of operations), the answer is -1

as it is written is equivalent to -(1^2) = -(1) = -1

what you probably wanted is (-1)^2 = -1 * -1 = 1

be careful with this, it's a common source of calculator mistakes!