Question

If n-2 = 1/16, then n could be which of the following?

-8
-4
-1/4
1/4
4

Answer 1

The answer is 4

4^-2 = .0625 or 1/16

Answer 2

The correct options are 2 and 5. The value of n is either -4 or 4.

Explanation:

The given equation is

`n^(-2)=(1)/(16)`

Using the property of exponent it can be written as

`(1)/(n^(2))=(1)/(16)`
`[\because a^(-n)=(1)/(a^n)]`

On comparing both the sides we get

`n^2=16`

Taking square root both the sides.

`n=\pm√(16)`

`n=\pm 4`

The value of n is either -4 or 4. Therefore the correct options are 2 and 5.