How do you simplify (-2)0 - (-2)1 ?

1 Answer
Jun 26, 2016

The answer would be 2. See steps in explanation.

Explanation:

We can break down this expression using the order of operation, or " PEMDAS ".

P - Parentheses
E - Exponents
M - Multiplication (can switch spots with division based on order from left to right)
D - Division
A - Addition (can switch spots with subtraction based on order from left to right)
S - Subtraction

(-2)0 - (-2)1

-2 * 0 - (-2)1 Let's multiply first, since it's the first operation in PEMDAS we can do first.

0 - (-2)1 We got 0 from the first step. We see a subtraction sign, but there is also multiplication, and we need to do multiplication first.

0 - (-2) We multiplied again, and now we're left with one thing left to do, subtract. Notice we are subtraction a negative, so we must add.

0 + 2 This part is simple

2

**Our final answer is 2.