-2^4 + 51 * 4 - (37 + 23 * 2) ERROR, maybe.

John Whitaker

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May 9, 2006
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-2^4 + 51 * 4 – (37 + 23 * 2)
-2^4 + 51 * 4 – (37 + 46)
-2^4 + 51 * 4 – 83
The next step my textbook offers is:
-16 + 51 * 4 – 83
Shouldn’t that be a + 16 in front?
They show an answer of 105. I get 137.
If I’m right, can I sue for my wasted time?
Thanks.
John Whitaker
 
John Whitaker said:
-2^4 + 51 * 4 – 83
The next step my textbook offers is:
-16 + 51 * 4 – 83
Shouldn’t that be a + 16 in front?
If the expression had been "(-2)<sup>4</sup>", so the power had been on the "minus" sign as well, then, yes, the value would have been +16. But since the expression was "-2<sup>4</sup>", which means "-(2<sup>4</sup>)", the value must be negative.

Eliz.
 
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