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Algebra 1 Negative Numbers and Parenthesis

Question from Blake:

Can you help me see why parenthesis and negative numbers matter together?

Answer from Cassidy:

Blake, I’ve made you a comparison problem to hopefully show why parenthesis matter with negative numbers.

Jacob's Algebra 1 Homeschool Math
Negative Numbers and Why Parenthesis Matter

Can you see that in 1) the negative sign is NOT squared leaving the answer negative, while in 2) the negative sign is included in the square as everything inside is squared, leaving the answer positive.

Hope this helps.