If you have -1 to the power of 5 the answer is (-1). So what about if you have -1 to the power of -5?

Question

Are they both the same?

Please explain all steps taken.

Answer 1

Use ^ to denote exponents.

-1^5 = (-1) * (-1) * (-1) * (-1) * (-1) = -1

-1^-5 = 1 / -1^5

or

1
---
-1^5

(If an exponent is raised to a negative value, you can put it in the denominator and make it positive).

E-mail me if you have any questions.

Regards,
~ Mitch ~

Answer 2

If you have -1 to the power of -5 that is the same thing as 1 divided by -1 to the power of -5. That is equal to -1:

(-1)^(-5) = 1 / (-1)^5 = -1

When you have a base of 1 or -1, these two things are the same because 1 divided by 1 to any power is always 1. If we were discussing -2 to the power of -5, the answers would not be the same!

I hope my answer was a help to you!

Answer 3

if you have a negative exponent you first have to make it posotive. to do this you have to bring 1 to the -5 to the denominator. now the exponent is positive.so you have -1 over 1 to the 5th which equalls -1



-1 is your answer

Answer 4

(-1) ^ (-5) = 1 / ( (-1) ^5)

(-1) ^5 = -1

Therefore, (-1) ^ (-5) = 1 / (-1) = -1. So yeah, in this case, you get the same answer.

Answer 5

yes