Question

Taylor complete the problem below. Describe and correct the error in the problem
2^-4*-2*-2*-2*-2=16

A. Taylor changed the negative exponent to a negative base. The problem should be 2^-4=1/2^4=1/2*2*2*2=1/16

B. Taylor didn't multiply correctly. The answer should be 16

C. Taylor made the answer positive. It should be -16

D. Taylor didn't multiply by -1. The problem should be 2^-4=(-1)1/2^4=(-1)1/2*2*2*2=1/16

Answer 1

Didn't I just answer this question?

Answer 2

I think the first * in the problem was supposed to be =.

Answer 3

Problem states:

\(2^{-4} = (-2) \times (-2) \times (-2) \times (-2) = 16\)

A negative exponent does not mean to make the base negative.
A negative exponent changes the power into a fraction according to the rule:

\(\Large a^{-n} = \dfrac{1}{a^n} \)

Applying the rule of negative exponent, you get

\(\Large 2^{-4} = \dfrac{1}{2^4}\)

What is \(2^4\) equal to?