simplify (x^-2)^-12

Question

simplify (x^-2)^-12

anonymous · Answer

well the answer choices are 
A. x^-24
B. x^-14
C. x^14
D. x^24

anonymous · Answer

is it C ?

anonymous · Answer

The original expression is 
$$(x^{-2})^{-12}$$
?

anonymous · Answer

yeah

anonymous · Answer

You are raising the x^(-2) to itself -12 times so you will need to multiply the terms (-2) and (-12)

anonymous · Answer

Remember negatives by negative will turn positive

anonymous · Answer

I thought you just added them

anonymous · Answer

It is, 
$$x^{-2} \times x^{-2} \times x^{-2}..$$ 12 times

anonymous · Answer

but the 12 is negative so it it makes the -2 positive

anonymous · Answer

Yeah I thought x would stays the same and you just add the exponents which would make the answer x^14

anonymous · Answer

Well multiply x^(-2), -12 times, you will see you are really adding 2 each time.

anonymous · Answer

so it's x^24

anonymous · Answer

That is if you are multiply
$$x^{-2} \times x^{-12} = x^{-14}$$ 
Which you are not

anonymous · Answer

Correct! it is x^24

anonymous · Answer

damn I got it wrong because I was running out of time and answered earlier . I got like 6 others wrong that were similar to as well .

anonymous · Answer

You should ask be familiar with the concept before attempting a timed-session.