Algebra Examples

$a_{n} = {(- 1)}^{n} n^{2}$

Step 1

Substitute in the value of $n$ to find the $n$ th term.

$a_{1} = {(- 1)}^{1} {(1)}^{2}$

Step 2

Evaluate the exponent.

$a_{1} = - 1 {(1)}^{2}$

Step 3

One to any power is one.

$a_{1} = - 1 \cdot 1$

Step 4

Multiply $- 1$ by $1$ .

$a_{1} = - 1$