Question 1132407
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With p = -2, p^-17 and p^-19 are negative and p^-18 is positive.  So p^-18 is largest, so the answer is either B or D.  We need to determine whether p^-17 < p^-19 (answer D) or p^-19 < p^-17 (answer B).<br>
{{{-2^(-17) = -(1/2^17)}}}
{{{-2^(-19) = -(1/2^19)}}}<br>
In absolute value, 1/2^19 is smaller than 1/2^17; so with them both negative -1/2^19 is "less negative" than -1/2^17.<br>
So -2^(-17) is less than -2^(-19), and so the answer is D.