What is the difference between (-h)2 and -h2 in maths?

Answer 1

0

Answer 2

Assuming they are (-h)² and -h² the difference is 2h²:

(-h)² = h²

-h² = -(h²) = -h²

h² - -h² = h² + h² = 2h²

Or do you mean the difference as in what they represent?

By putting the parentheses around the -h, the -h is squared, ie (-h)² = -h × -h = h² leaving a positive result.

By not putting any parentheses, the squared takes precedence, is done first, and then the result is negated; this would be the same as putting parentheses around the h², ie -h² = -(h²) = -(h × h)

So (assuming h is a real number) the difference is that the first ( (-h)² ) is a positive number whereas the second ( -h² ) is a negative number (of the same absolute value).

Answer 3

There is no difference.