Pre-Algebra Lesson #22 Exponents with a Negative Base

http://www.greenemath.com/ In this lesson, we will cover how to evaluate an exponent when the base is negative. This type of problem causes a lot of confusion for students. If we see a negative number raised to a power and it is not wrapped inside of parentheses, then the answer is always negative. If we see a negative number raised to a power and it is wrapped inside of parentheses, the answer is negative if the exponent is odd and the answer is positive if the answer is even.