Question

Evaluate: 
(i) 3^-2 
(ii) (-4)^-2 
(iii) \((\frac{1}{2})^{-5}\)

Answer 1

(i) 3^-2
3^-2 
\(= \frac{1 }{3^2} = \frac{1}{9}\  [a^{-m} = \frac{1 }{ a^m}]\)

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(ii) (-4)^-2
(-4)^-2 = \(\frac{1 }{ (-4)^{2}} \ [a^{-m} = \frac{1 }{ a^m}]\)

\(= \frac{1 }{ (-4 × -4)}\)

\(= \frac{1 }{ 16}\)

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(iii) \((\frac{1}{2})^{-5}\)

\((\frac{1}{2})^{-5} = 25 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32\  [a^{-m} = \frac{1 }{ a^m}]\)