Question

rewrite the following without an exponent.
(-7)^{-2}

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the negative exponent rule

The rule for negative exponents is \(a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^{n}}\) (where \(a
eq0\) and \(n\) is a positive integer). So for \((-7)^{-2}\), we can apply this rule.
\((-7)^{-2}=\frac{1}{(-7)^{2}}\)

Step2: Calculate the denominator

Now, calculate \((-7)^{2}\). When we square a negative number, the result is positive. So \((-7)^{2}=(-7)\times(-7) = 49\).
Then, \(\frac{1}{(-7)^{2}}=\frac{1}{49}\)

Answer:

\(\frac{1}{49}\)