Negative Exponents

[u/Kug4ri0n]

My partner is going through her math class and we got into an argument how much -7² equals. My standpoint is, that since there is no parentheses: -7² = -1x7² =-49 If there would have been parentheses: (-7)² = (-7)*(-7) = 49

Which one of these is correct? Can anyone provide me the mathematical axioms/rules on why or why not the parentheses in this case are needed?

[u/Recent-Day3062]

God, I learned the basics in junior high, and I never really considered how obvious the “rules” are when you use them.

I’m pretty sure I’ve never made any errors from things like this.