How do you solve negative number and positive power? - Answers

To make things simple, to begin with, ignore the minus sign. Raise the now positive number to the positive power like you usually would. Then, if the power is even, leave the answer as it is. But if the power is odd, put a minus sign in front.For example:For (-2)2, ignore the minus sign so 22 = 4. 2 is even so the answer is 4.For (-2)3, ignore the minus sign so 23 = 8. 3 is odd so the answer is -8.* * * * *That is correct as far as it goes but beware: this does not work with positive fractional powers.x1/2 = sqrt(x) which, if x < 0, is not real.butx1/3 = cuberoot(x) exists in the same way as described above. For example, (-8)1/3 = cuberoot of (-8) = -2Life gets even more complicated with powers that are positive but irrational. Don't even think of going there without some serious mathematical background. But once you have that, it is all very straightforward.