Question

Evaluate the following expression (-3)^-2

Answer 1

1/9

Explanation:

(-3)^-2 would be better written as (-3)^(-2).

1

(-3)^(-2) would be easier to evaluate if written as -------------

(-3)^2

The final answer is 1/9.

Answer 2

Answer: the fraction 1/9

It is approximately equal to 0.1111

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To get this answer, we use the rule

`x^(-k) = (1)/(x^k)`

The negative exponent tells us to apply the reciprocal to get the exponent to be positive.

So,

`(-3)^(-2) = (1)/((-3)^2)\\\\(-3)^(-2) = (1)/(9)`

Squaring -3 means you square the negative as well

`(-3)^2 = (-3)*(-3) = 9`