Final answer:
The expression compares (-3)^2 to -23; since (-3)^2 equals +9 and 9 is greater than -23, the inequality symbol that makes the expression TRUE is '>'.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the inequality that can be placed in the blank to make the expression TRUE, we have to evaluate (-3)2 and then compare the result to -23.
The expression (-3)2 means that we are squaring -3.
When two negative numbers multiply, the answer has a +ve sign.
Therefore, (-3) x (-3) equals +9.
Now we compare 9 and -23. Since 9 is greater than -23, the inequality symbol that makes the expression true is '>'.
So the inequality that would make the expression TRUE is: (-3)2 > -23.