-3^2= -(3)^2
The exponent of 2 only applies to the number 3. -(3)^2 should equal -9. This is true because according to the order of operations, exponents should be evaluated before multiplication. The negative sign here represents -1* 3^2.
If you want to find -3 to the power of 2 it must be written (-3)^2.
144 is the lowest hoped this helped
3x-4y=12
4y=3x-12
y=(3x-12)/4
y=(3/4)x-3
You know you are finished dividing when you can no longer simply & when you plug it back in to check the answer