Question

I need someone to help me work out problem 15 I do not understand it

Answer 1

-31/2

Step-by-step explanation

We have to sum these two numbers and write the answer as a fraction.

Note that the second term has a negative exponent, which by the negative exponents rule we can rewrite as a fraction where the denominator is the base raised to the same exponent but positive,

`2^(-1)=(1)/(2)`

Replacing into the expression,

`-2^4+2^(-1)=-2^4+(1)/(2)`

To add, the common denominator is 2. Then we multiply it by the first term,

`-2^4+(1)/(2)=(-2\cdot2^4+1)/(2)`

Solve the power and multiply,

`(-2\cdot16+1)/(2)=(-32+1)/(2)`

And add,

`(-32+1)/(2)=(-31)/(2)`

Hence, the answer is -31/2.