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CEMC Cayley

Algebra Difficulty 2.2 Junior Find the answer

What is the value of (−1)3+(−1)2+(−1)(-1)^{3}+(-1)^{2}+(-1)?

A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.

Solution

Since -1 raised to an even exponent equals 1 and -1 raised to an odd exponent equals -1, then (−1)3+(−1)2+(−1)=−1+1−1=−1(-1)^{3}+(-1)^{2}+(-1)=-1+1-1=-1.

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