Case context: Consider the mathematical expression $-10^2$.

Question: What is the base of the exponent in the expression $-10^2$? Explain why evaluating this expression results in a negative number.

Sample answer: The base of the exponent is $10$. Because there are no parentheses around the negative sign, the exponent applies only to the $10$. Following the order of operations, you first calculate $10^2 = 100$, and then apply the negative sign to get $-100$.

Key points:

• The base of the exponent is $10$, not $-10$.
• Without parentheses, the exponent applies only to the positive number.
• The negative sign is applied after the exponent is evaluated.

Rubric: Award full credit if the student identifies the base as $10$ and explains that the exponent applies to the $10$ before the negative sign is applied.