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Really silly question but didnt know where else to ask. I am looking back at some basic definite integration stuff and have stumped myself at the most basic of things (I have a knack for doing this kind of thing to myself). Lets say I am met with -x^2 and x is +2.Following bodmas, do I treat the minus as part of the number and square it to get a positive result or treat the minus sign as a multiplication of negative 1 and hence proceed to square first, resulting in a negative answer...?

upon further research I have found out from wikipedia that there isn't a standard for this...within the context of an integration question I would get 2 different answers, hence the confusion. Ive never really given this any thought in the past. I appreciate any responses.

Jam
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  • e.g lets say I integrate (2x/3 + 3x)dx , in this context what would be the correct way? – Jam Apr 23 '19 at 16:01
  • Thank you my friend. That does make more sense actually, yes. – Jam Apr 23 '19 at 16:05
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    I meant to write : Your second choice is the standard one: $−x^2=(−1)x^2 $ not $-x^2=(−x)^2$. Sorry about the typo, but I think you understood it anyway. I am deleting my comment with the typo. – kimchi lover Apr 23 '19 at 16:08
  • Do not write $\int (2x/3 + 3x);dx$ if you mean $\int (2x/(3 + 3x));dx$. Since $(2x/3 + 3x) = (2/3 + 3) x = (11/3) x$. – GEdgar Apr 23 '19 at 16:18
  • I meant ( ( (2x)/3 ) + (3x) )dx – Jam Apr 23 '19 at 17:02

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