Question

Evaluate the following expression (-3)^-2

Answer 1

Answer: the fraction 1/9

It is approximately equal to 0.1111

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To get this answer, we use the rule

$x^{-k} = \frac{1}{x^k}$

The negative exponent tells us to apply the reciprocal to get the exponent to be positive.

So,

$(-3)^{-2} = \frac{1}{(-3)^2}\\\\(-3)^{-2} = \frac{1}{9}$

Squaring -3 means you square the negative as well

$(-3)^2 = (-3)*(-3) = 9$

Answer 2

Answer:

1/9

Step-by-step explanation:

(-3)^-2 would be better written as (-3)^(-2).

                                                                                       1

(-3)^(-2) would be easier to evaluate if written as -------------

                                                                                   (-3)^2

The final answer is 1/9.