How do you simplify #(-5)^-2#?

1 Answer
Apr 5, 2018

It simplifies to #1/25# or #0.04#.

Explanation:

Use the definition of a negative exponent:

#x^color(blue)(-m)=1/x^color(blue)m#

Here's the expression:

#color(white)=(-5)^color(blue)(-2)#

#=1/(-5)^color(blue)2#

#=1/(-5*-5)#

#=1/(color(red)cancelcolor(black)-5*color(red)cancelcolor(black)-5)#

#=1/(5*5)#

#=1/25#