Question

Evaluate. Write your answer as a fraction or whole number without exponents. 6^-2

Answer 1

`(1)/(36)`

Explanation:

Negative exponents can be manipulated and solved through exponent properties.

Exponent Properties

There are numerous different exponent properties that allow us to simplify expressions. However, for this question, the important property is known as the negative exponent property. This states that
`\displaystyle a^(-b)=(1)/(a^b)`. We can apply this same idea to the question we were given.

Solving

Through the negative exponent property, we know that we can make the exponent positive by taking the reciprocal.

• 
  `6^(-2)=(1)/(6^2)`

Remember that 6^2 = 36, then solve.

• 
  `6^(-2)=(1)/(36)`

So, the final answer is 1/36.