Question

What number to the power of -2 gives you (4/25)

Answer 1

x = -5/2 , 5/2

Explanation:

x^ -2 = 4/25

negative exponents means flip from numerator to denominator ( or vice versa)

(1/x) ^2 = 4/25

take the square root of each side (remember you get a positive and negative result)

sqrt(1/x) = sqrt(4/25)

1/x = + 2/5 1/x = -2/5

multiply each side by x

1 = + 2/5 x 1 = -2/5 x

multiply by 5/2 multiply by -5/2

5/2 = + 2/5 x * 5/2 -5/2 = -2/5 x *- 5/2

5/2 = + x -5/2 = x

x = 5/2 , -5/2