Question 653014
i have the equation to solve :   (-1/2)^4-(1/2)^2+(-1/2)^3  and i know that the answer is -5/16 but i need help understanding how it got to this?  thank you


FYI: This is not a equation as it doesn't have an equals sign. It's a fractional expression that needs to be SIMPLIFIED to one (1) fraction.


{{{(- 1/2)^4 - (1/2)^2 + (- 1/2)^3}}} 

{{{1^4/2^4 - 1^2/2^2 - 1^3/2^3}}} ---- (-){{{_^4}}} = "+", and (-){{{_^3}}} = "-"

{{{1/16 - 1/4 - 1/8}}} 


{{{1/16 - 4/16 - 2/16}}} ----- Multiplying by LCD, 16


{{{(1 - 4 - 2)/16}}} ------ {{{highlight_green(- 5/16)}}}


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