Question

What are the values of (-2)4 and -24?

Answer 1

Follow the definition of exponents and the rules of multiplying positive and negative numbers.

$(-2)^4 = (-2)(-2)(-2)(-2) = 4(-2)(-2) = -8(-2) = 16$

$-2^4 = -(2^4) = -[2(2)(2)(2)] = -[4(2)(2)] = -[8(2)] = -[16] = -16$

Answer: The third choice, 16 and -16