SOLUTION: (-2^-2)^-1 1. Work inside parenthesis: (1/-2^2)^-1=(1/4)^-1 2. Clear exponent outside parenthesis: 4 This was marked as an incorrect answer. No correction given. Can y

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Question 632067: (-2^-2)^-1
1. Work inside parenthesis: (1/-2^2)^-1=(1/4)^-1
2. Clear exponent outside parenthesis: 4
This was marked as an incorrect answer. No correction given. Can you please help?

Answer by Theo(13342)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the answer should be -4
here's how it works.
(-2^-2)^-1 is equal to -2^(-2*-1) which is equal to -2^2) which is equal to -4
if you are working within the first parentheses first, the answer would be:
(-2^-2)^-1 = (-1/4)^-1 = -4
it's those negative signs that get you.
remember that:
-2^2 = (-1)*(2)^2 = -4
it is NOT equal to:
(-2)^2 = 4
i think that's where you went wrong.
handwritten solution is shown below:
$$$$$

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