Question

A number raised to a negative exponent is negative. always never sometimes

Answer 1

It is negative only when the number itself is negative.
hence, sometimes.

Answer 2

Dividing negative exponents is almost the same as multiplying them, except you're doing the opposite: subtracting where you would have added and dividing where you would have multiplied. If the bases are the same, subtract the exponents. Remember to flip the exponent and make it positive, if needed.