Question

5 to the -2 power = ?
Please help! I am a 7th grader so if anyone could not just give me the answer but explain how you got the answer mwould be great. Thank you all!

Answer 1

Well, here we go: so anything (x) to the negative 1 power is the same as 1/x:

Example: \[4^{-1}\] = 1/4 and \[23^{-1}\] = 1/23:

But what happens is, if it;s to the - n power, it becomes 1/x^n:

Ex: \[4^{-2}\] = 1/4^2 = 1/16:

So, using your example: \[5^{-2} = \frac{ 1 }{ 5^2 } = \frac{ 1 }{ 25 }\]

Answer 2

Thank you so much. Have a great day