How to do a exponent with the negative base?

Examples:

(-2) ^3 = (-2) (-2) (-2) = - 8

(-3) ^4 = (-3) (-3) (-3) (-3) = 81

(-1) ^5 = (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) (-1) = - 1

* * if the exponent is an even number, the answer will be positive. if the exponent is an odd number, then the answer will be negative

* * but keep in mind ... if the negative is not included with the base ...

- (5^2) = - 25 ... but (-5^2) = 25