Question

evaluate. write your answer as a fraction or whole number without exponents. (1/4)^(-2)

Explanation:

Step1: Apply negative - exponent rule

Recall the rule $a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^{n}}$ (when $a
eq0$), so $(\frac{1}{4})^{-2}=\frac{1}{(\frac{1}{4})^{2}}$.

Step2: Calculate the square of the fraction

$(\frac{1}{4})^{2}=\frac{1^{2}}{4^{2}}=\frac{1}{16}$, then $\frac{1}{(\frac{1}{4})^{2}}=\frac{1}{\frac{1}{16}}$.

Step3: Divide by a fraction

Dividing by a fraction is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal. So $\frac{1}{\frac{1}{16}} = 1\times16 = 16$.

Answer:

16