I've found that most people will correctly do 1 - 4^2 The answer is -15. So what is 0 - 4^2 Most will say -16. To be consistent we must agree that -4^2 is

I've found that most people will correctly do 1 - 4^2 The answer is -15. So what is 0 - 4^2 Most will say -16. To be consistent we must agree that -4^2 is -16 since it is the same thing as 0 - 4^2. It takes a while for students to understand this. I still get calculus students who mess it up.