>>>>>Alan,
>>>>>
>>>>>It takes precedence because it does. I'm not making this up. Whether or not anyone can find alternate authorities as proof doesn't matter to me. I'm not going to wade through all of the crap sources on the internet that proclaim that -2 squared is -4. They are flatly wrong.
>>>>
>>>>I have spent some time on the google path finding all sorts of conflicting information about the precedence of unary signs, but it still comes down to the simple fact that -2 squared is 4
>>>>not -4. Makes no difference what the precedence of the operations are -2 * -2 is 4 and I woudl therefore conclude that -2^3 is -8 as it is -2 * -2 = 4 * -2 = -8.
>>>
>>>I don't think it does. The question isn't what is negative 2 squared, the question is whether -2^2 written is by order of precedence:
>>>
>>>-(2^2) = -4 *mathematics
>>>or
>>>(-2) ^2 = 4 *some programming languages
>>>
>>>only because it was initially written without parenthesis.
>>>
>>>Just to stir the pot some more :o)
>>
>>That's exactly right, Tracy. Saying Negative 2 squared is not really the same thing as writing -2^2 and I think that's where a lot of the problems are coming from.
>
>Even in English (as opposed to Math) you can run into different interpretations.
>
>Does Negative 2 squared really mean Negative (2 squared ) or does it mean (Negative 2) squared. If somebody says it, there is intonation which should convey the actual meaning. But when written.............can you be sure exactly what is meant?
>
>Should the first interpretation be in force especially since the second could have been written unabmiguously as Negative2 squared
>
>This whole thread definitely meets one of my definitions of a Shakespearian discussion (Much Ado About Nothing)

As you like it ;-) Personally I have enjoyed this thread. It's refreshing to read a long one that is about a technical issue, stays on topic, and doesn't degenerate into a food fight.