Question

What is the value of the following expression for a = -1 and b = 4?

13a^-3 b^-1
A. -13/4
B. -52
C. -4/13
D. -156​

Answer 1

Well, if a = -1 and b = 4 then when we plug in the values of a and b into the expression we get:

`13(-1)^(-3)\cdot4^(-1)`.

Then simplify it:

`-13\cdot1/4=-(13)/(4)`.

The answer is A.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Step 1: Substitute -1 for a and 4 for b

`13 * (-1)^-^3 * (4)^-^1`

`13 * (-1) * (1)/(4)`

`-(13)/(4)`

Answer: Option A,
`-(13)/(4)`