evaluate. 5^-2
How do you solve this kind of problem?
2006-11-21 14:01:42 · 8 answers · asked by jazminda S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
negative exponent in numerator is positive in denominator
so ... 5^(-2) is the same as 1 / (5^2) = 1 / 25 or .04
2006-11-21 14:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by Brian D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For example, if it is 5 squared-2, that is the same as 25-2. I am not familiar with that small symbol you have at the top of the five. That little symbol can be any number and it can be a positive one or a negative one. Let me give you some examples:
5 to the -2 power is 1/5 squared or 1/25
5 to the -3 power is 1/5 cubed or 1/125
5 to the +3 power is 5 cubed(5x5x5) or 125
That little symbol you have by the five looks like an A, but in the world of algebra, is simply means an unknown quantity and it can be an A or an x or a z or anything. It is just some symbol to show that a number of some kind goes there.
2006-11-21 14:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by Tony T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The negative exponent just puts the 5 in the denomenator.
For example, x^-2 is the same as 1/x^2
So 5^-2 = 1/5^2 = 1/25
2006-11-21 14:06:15 · answer #3 · answered by l337godd3ss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5^(-2) = (1/5)^2 = 1/25
hope this helps!
2006-11-21 14:04:52 · answer #4 · answered by ilovemath_pi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5^-2 = 1/5^2 = 1/25
This is because a^(-n) is the reciprocal of a^n
a^n x a^(-n) = a^o = 1
So a^(-n) = 1/a^n
2006-11-21 14:04:20 · answer #5 · answered by Wal C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5^-2 = (1/5)^2 = 0.04
y^-x = 1/y^x
2006-11-21 14:09:13 · answer #6 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5^-2 = 0.04
2006-11-21 14:04:12 · answer #7 · answered by michael 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4=(1/0.5)^2
2006-11-21 14:04:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋