Question

Evaluate x^-2 for x = -3.
I don't know how to solve this?

Answer 1

Have you considered making the substitution?

Answer 2

as in plugging in -3 for x into x^-2
so (-3)^-2

note that the negative exponent means that the value flips
so like 3^-1 = 1/3
x^-3 = 1/(x^3)
5^-2 = 1/(5^2) = 1/25
so on and so forth

Answer 3

\(\bf a^{-{\color{red} n}} = \cfrac{1}{a^{\color{red} n}}
\\ \quad \\ \quad \\
{\color{red}{ x}}^{-2}\qquad {\color{red}{ x}}=-3\implies ({\color{red}{ -3}})^{-2}\implies \cfrac{1}{({\color{red}{ -3}})^{2}}\implies ?
\)