133k views
23 votes
16. Which is greater, 4^-2 or
2^-4? How do you know?

User Trueboroda
by
2.8k points

2 Answers

4 votes

Answer:

The expressions are equal.

Explanation:

Notice that
a^(-b)=(1)/(a^b) for all (real)
a,b. So
4^(-2)=(1)/(4^2) = (1)/(16) and
2^(-4) = (1)/(2^4) = (1)/(16). Therefore, the expressions are equal.

User Karim Manaouil
by
3.3k points
2 votes

Answer: if this is a fraction 4\2 is greater

Step-by-step explanation: First you need same denominaters the lest coomon is four 2 over 4 is fine 4 over 2 two times 2 is 4 and 4 times 4 is 16 with will leave you with 16/4 or 2/4 simplfied 4/2 is greater

User Gangabass
by
3.4k points