Question

how do you solve (-5)^-2??

I know how to do (-5)^2, but how do you solve negative exponents?

Answer 1

for example 5^-2 is a fraction like 1/5^2 which is 1/25

Answer 2

yup, use the property that
\(\huge x^{-m}=\dfrac{1}{x^m }\)

Answer 3

\[ (-5)^{-2}=\left[(-5)^{2}\right]^{-1}\]

Answer 4

thanks!