How do you evaluate the power (-0.8)^2(0.8)2?

1 Answer
Oct 19, 2016

Multiply -0.8 xx -0.80.8×0.8

The answer is + .64

Explanation:

The exponent x^2x2 means to multiply the x by itself. Or to multiply the number by itself

In this case the x = -0.8 so

-0.8 xx -0.80.8×0.8 = the evaluation of (-0.8)^2(0.8)2

- xx - = +×=+ so the answer is positive not negative.

.8 xx .8 .8×.8 = .64

so the answer is + .64

Another way of looking at the problem is to write it as a fraction.

- 8/10 xx - 8/10 810×810 = ( - xx - ) xx ( 8 xx 8)/ (10xx10)(×)×8×810×10 This gives

+ 64/100+64100 as a decimal this is + 0.64