How do you simplify (- 1/5)^-2 + (-2)^-2? Prealgebra Exponents, Radicals and Scientific Notation Exponents 1 Answer Shwetank Mauria Jun 6, 2016 1/(-1/5)^2+1/(-2)^2=25 1/4 Explanation: As a^(-n)=1/a^n, (-1/5)^(-2)+(-2)^(-2) can be written as 1/(-1/5)^2+1/(-2)^2 = 1/((-1)^2/(5)^2)+1/4 = 1/(1/25)+1/4 = 1xx25/1+1/4 = 25 1/4 Answer link Related questions How do you simplify c^3v^9c^-1c^0? How do you simplify (4^6)^2 ? How do you simplify 3x^(2/3) y^(3/4) (2x^(5/3) y^(1/2))^3 ? How do you simplify 4^3·4^5? How do you simplify (5^-2)^-3? How do you simplify and write (-5.3)^0 with positive exponents? How do you factor 12j^2k - 36j^6k^6 + 12j^2? How do you simplify the expression 2^5/(2^3 times 2^8)? When can I add exponents? What is the Zero Exponent Rule? See all questions in Exponents Impact of this question 4520 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License