How do you evaluate the power #(-0.8)^2#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-10-19T03:54:10

Multiply # -0.8 xx -0.8#

The answer is + .64

The exponent #x^2# means to multiply the x by itself. Or to multiply the number by itself

In this case the x = -0.8 so

#-0.8 xx -0.8# = the evaluation of #(-0.8)^2#

# - xx - = +# so the answer is positive not negative.

#.8 xx .8 # = .64

so the answer is + .64

Another way of looking at the problem is to write it as a fraction.

#- 8/10 xx - 8/10 # = # ( - xx - ) xx ( 8 xx 8)/ (10xx10)# This gives

# + 64/100# as a decimal this is + 0.64