Answer
To raise a number to a power, n, is to multiply the number by itself n times.
-5$^2$ can be rewritten as -(5$\times$5) meaning that 5$^2$ is being negated.
(-5)$^2$ can be rewritten as (-5)(-5) meaning that (-5) is being multiplied by itself.
Work Step by Step
Use the definition of exponents and parenthesis to explain what it means to raise a number to a power and the importance parenthesis in your own words.
