If #m>0#, what is #(-m)^5(-m)^4#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-11-27T23:12:57

See a solution process below:

If #m > 0# then #-m < 0#

A negative number to an odd power results in a negative number

Also, a negative number to an even power results in a positive number.

Therefore,

#(-m)^5 < 0# and #(-m)^4 > 0#

And, a negative times a positive is a negative.

Therefore:

#(-m)^5(-m)^4 < 0# when #m > 0#