0

When solving for $\cos n\pi$ it becomes $(-1)^n.$

However, if you have a negative in front, it becomes $-(-1)^n.$ Can you show how they get

$-(-1)^n = (-1)^{n+1}.$

Mitchell Spector
  • 9,917
  • 3
  • 16
  • 34
mastud89
  • 143

1 Answers1

2

One may observe that $$ a^{n+1}=a\times a^n, \quad a \in \mathbb{R}, $$ giving in particular, with $a=-1$, $$ (-1)^{n+1}=(-1)\times (-1)^n=-(-1)^n. $$

Olivier Oloa
  • 120,989