Math Convention When In The Absence of No Brackets (as when evaluating "f(x) = -x^2")

[Ted_Grendy]

Hi all

I was wondering what would be the math convention when dealing with the following type of problem:-

I have been given the following function (this is how it is written):-

f(x) = -x^2

If x = 67 then what would the result be, I get:-

67^2 = 4489
4489 *-1 = -4489

or is it:-

(-67)^2 = 4489

Thanks

 

[Otis]

The Order of Operations tells us to evaluate powers before doing multiplications.

Square x first, then multiply by -1

... If x = 67 then ...

67^2 = 4489
4489 *-1 = -4489

Correct.

We use grouping symbols when we want to change the Order of Operations.

g(x) = (-x)^2

g(67) = 4489

?

 

[ksdhart2]

In the absence of any parentheses or other grouping symbols, the "squared" only applies to whatever directly proceeds it. That is to say, \(-x^2 = -(x^2)\)

 

[Ted_Grendy]

Thanks Otis.

 

[Steven G]

Hi all

I was wondering what would be the math convention when dealing with the following type of problem:-

I have been given the following function (this is how it is written):-

f(x) = -x^2

If x = 67 then what would the result be, I get:-

67^2 = 4489
4489 *-1 = -4489

or is it:-

(-67)^2 = 4489

Thanks

How would you handle it if it said 0-x^2? Note that 0-x^2 = -x^2