document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=474758>Question 474758</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Simplify: <BR>\n" );
document.write( "3^-2\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Please show me step by step to get the answer. thanks </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #325568 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=325568\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Simplify: <BR>\n" );
document.write( "3^-2 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The 2 means you should square the base.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The \"negative\" means you should invert the base.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You may perform these instructions in either order:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If you 1st \"invert\" you get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3^-2 = (1/3)^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then you should square the result to get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 1/9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "==========================<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If you 1st \"square\" you get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3^-2 = 9^-1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Then you shoud inver to get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 1/9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "=============<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );