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Evaluate the expression \(-x^2\):

a. For \(x=4\).

b. For [tex]\(x=-2\)[/tex].


Sagot :

Certainly! Let's walk through the steps to evaluate the expression \( -x^2 \) for the given values of \( x \).

### Part (a): When \( x = 4 \)

1. Write down the expression: \( -x^2 \).
2. Substitute \( x = 4 \) into the expression: \( -(4)^2 \).
3. Calculate \( 4^2 \):
[tex]\[ 4^2 = 16 \][/tex]
4. Apply the negative sign:
[tex]\[ -(4^2) = -16 \][/tex]

So, when \( x = 4 \), the value of the expression \( -x^2 \) is \( -16 \).

### Part (b): When \( x = -2 \)

1. Write down the expression: \( -x^2 \).
2. Substitute \( x = -2 \) into the expression: \( -(-2)^2 \).
3. Calculate \( (-2)^2 \):
[tex]\[ (-2)^2 = 4 \][/tex]
4. Apply the negative sign:
[tex]\[ -((-2)^2) = -4 \][/tex]

So, when \( x = -2 \), the value of the expression \( -x^2 \) is \( -4 \).

To summarize:
- For \( x = 4 \), \( -x^2 = -16 \).
- For [tex]\( x = -2 \)[/tex], [tex]\( -x^2 = -4 \)[/tex].