Question

What is the value of $ - {3^4}$?

Answer 1

Hint: In this question we have to multiply $3$ four times because it is written that the power of $3$ is raised to the power four. Then we have to multiply it by $ - 1$ to get to the final value. Do not get confused between $ - {3^4}$ and ${\left( { - 3} \right)^4}$. As it is written here $ - {3^4}$ not ${\left( { - 3} \right)^4}$. Otherwise, you will get the wrong answer.

Complete step-by-step answer:
In the given question, we have
$ \Rightarrow - {3^4}$
We can also write it as
$ \Rightarrow - 1 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3$
Now,
$ \Rightarrow - 1 \times 9 \times 9$
$ \Rightarrow - 81$
Therefore, the value of $ - {3^4}$ is $ - 81$ .
So, the correct answer is “-81”.

Note: Do not get confused with $ - {3^4}$ between ${\left( { - 3} \right)^4}$. Because the value of the second one is positive and it is $81$.it is positive because the power of $ - 3$ is even. If the power would be odd then the answer will be the same as $ - 81$.
Power of a number is obtained by multiplying it by itself. Where the base number (a) is raised to the power limit (n) which is equal to n times multiplication of a. $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2$ is stated as 'Two to the $4th$ power' or simply '$2$ to the $4th$ ' and so on.