Question

Lizbeth says that (-12)^-3 equals a positive number because the product of two negative numbers equals a positive. is this true. explain

PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

(-12)^-3

`=(-12)^(-3)`

convert negative exponent into positive using formula x^(-m)=1/x^m

`=(1)/((-12)^(3))`

`=(1)/((-12)(-12)(-12))`

`=(1)/((144)(-12))` (because the product of two negative numbers equals a positive)

`=(1)/(-1728)` (because the product of negative and positive numbers equals a negative)

We see that final answer is negative while Lizbeth says it should be positive.

Hence given explanation is FALSE.