Parentheses change the base Compare (−2)² with −2². Then change the exponent to 3. Does the minus sign belong to the base in both cases? Em telas pequenas, deslize o gráfico na horizontal para ler os detalhes. The symbol ^ indicates the exponent. Reading the parentheses comes before the calculation. Ative o JavaScript para ver esta figura interativa. Read before calculating Identify the base and parentheses. Read the exponent. Multiply the base factors. If the minus sign is out of power, apply it later.