Question

GRADE 9 MATH:

Identify the mistake in the following solution, and explain how to simplify the original expression correctly. Make the corrections.

5^-5 x (-5)^3 = -25^-2 = 1/-25^2 =-1/625

Answer 1

See below

Explanation:

The correct solution:

• 5^-5 × (-5)^3 = - 5^(-5 + 3) = - 5^-2 = - 1/5^2 = - 1/25

The mistake was:

• -25^-2 instead of -5^-2