Evaluate: 5^-2 , (-1/2)^-1

Question

Evaluate:

(i) 5-2

(ii) (-3)-2

(iii) (1/3)-4

(iv) (-1/2)-1

Answer 1

(i) 5-2

= 1/52 ( a-n = 1/an)

= 1/25

(ii) (-3)-2

= (1/-3)2 (a-n = 1/an)

= 1/9

(iii) (1/3)-4

= 34 (1/a-n = an)

= 81

(iv) (-1/2)-1

= -21 (1/a-n = an)

= -2