What is 1/2 to the negative fourth power?

(1/2)^-4

1 Answer
Apr 20, 2018

2^4=16

Explanation:

Recall that (a/b)^x=a^x/b^x, so

(1/2)^-4=1^-4/2^-4

1^-4=1, as 1 raised to any power is 1.

So, we get

1/2^-4. Recall that you can get rid of a negative exponent in the denominator by moving it to the numerator, making it a positive exponent, and vice versa. IE, 1/a^-x=a^x

So,

1/2^-4=2^4=16