Question

Match the following items by evaluating the expression for x = -3.

Answer 1

• 1/9
• -1/3
• 1
• -3
• 9

Explanation:

x^-2 = (-3)^-2 = 1/(-3)^2 = 1/9

Each of the following is the previous value multiplied by -3,

x^-1 = x(x^-2) = (-3)(1/9) = -1/3

x^0 = x(x^-1) = (-3)(-1/3) = 1

x^1 = -3(1) = -3

x^2 = -3(-3) = 9