Should -3^2 be (-3)^2 or -(3^2)?

[Hyacinth]

If I see -3^2 on a math placement test, should it be (-3)^2 (which equals 9) or -(3^2) (which equals -9). I read on a math web site that it should be the latter -- that the exponent makes the parentheses around 3^2 implicit. But a an instructional algebra book I have supplies answers to problems that make it apparent that the book is going with the former situation.

Thank you!

[stapel_eliz]

It should definitely be the latter! The negative of a square is a negative value!

[sio6627]

(-3)^2 however is a positive value because a negative times a negative is a positive?
(-3) * (-3) = 9

right? -- rather than - (3^2) which is - (9) = -9

-sio.

[stapel_eliz]

(-3)^2 however is a positive value because a negative times a negative is a positive?

Yes; (-3)² = (-3)(-3) = +9. But the poster was asking about -3², which is -(3²) = -(3)(3) = -9.