TIB: A stupid question
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TIB: A stupid question
This is not so much a programming question as it is a math-logic question
that happens to involve my calculator. Please bear with me, it'll just take
a minute:
Unless I am wrong, the square of a negative number is positive, because it's
a negative number times itself. My calculator begs to differ. When I input
-3 x -3 it gives me what I'm pretty sure is the proper answer: +9. (and I
know that the '+' isn't neccessary there, but I'm trying to illustrate a
point). However, when I input -3^2 (that's to be read as "negative three
squared" -- can't do superscripts on my email program), it gives me -9. Is
there something I'm just not getting here? Please, my math level is about
remedial, so I feel pretty stupid anyway..but, thanks to anyone who cares.
~Alysha
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