How do you simplify #(-32)^(-3/5)#?

1 Answer
Oct 13, 2016

#= 1/(-8)#

Explanation:

There are two laws of indices in place here.

#x^-m = 1/x^m" and "x^(p/q) = (rootq(x))^p#

Use the sign law first to make the index positive.

#1/((-32)^(3/5)#

Change the index to a root and a power:

#=1/color(red)(root5((-32)))^(3)" "larr# find 5th root of -32

#= 1/((-2)^3)" "larr# find the cube of -2

#= 1/(-8)#