Be careful here......this is a common mistake to assume that -5^2 = 25......!!!!
-5^2 = -1(5)(5) = -25 the exponent only applies to the 5, NOT to the "understood" -1 preceding 5
However......
(-5)^2 = (-5) (-5) = (-1 * 5) (-1* 5) = (-1 * -1) (5 * 5) = (1) (25) = 25
See the difference???
Be careful here......this is a common mistake to assume that -5^2 = 25......!!!!
-5^2 = -1(5)(5) = -25 the exponent only applies to the 5, NOT to the "understood" -1 preceding 5
However......
(-5)^2 = (-5) (-5) = (-1 * 5) (-1* 5) = (-1 * -1) (5 * 5) = (1) (25) = 25
See the difference???