How do you multiply #(- 2) ^ { - 2} \cdot ( - 2) ^ { - 3} \cdot ( - 2) ^ { 4}#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-01-24T01:04:41

= #-1/2#

Since you're multiplying three terms with the same base of -2, you can simply add up the exponents.

#(-2)^-2*(-2)^-3*(-2)^4#
= #(-2)^-1#

Since this is a negative exponent you need to take the reciprocal of -2. The denominator will have a positive exponent, but the same base.

#1/(-2)^1#
= #-1/2#

Answer 2 · 2018-01-24T01:07:05

#-1/(2)#

When multiplying powers where the base is the same, add the exponents:

Your equation would be equal to #=(-2)^((-2)+(-3)+4)#

This gives #(-2)^(-1)#

Since the exponent is negative 1, it means the reciprocal of the base:

#(-2)^(-1)=-1/(2)#