Question

Simplify the expression given bellow. : -5^-2

Answer 1

so if you have the negative then you just have it over one so 2^-2 means
(1/(2^2))=2^-2 so

-5^-2=1/(-5^2)=1/25

Answer 2

-5^-2
taking something to the power of -2 is basically saying to take it to the power of 2, and then inverse it

-5^2 = 25
inverse of 25 = 1/25

-5^-2 = 1/25, or 0.04