Simplify the expression.
(-3)^-5 (-3)^4
To simplify the expression, we can apply the rule of exponentiation that states:
(a^m)(a^n) = a^(m+n)
Applying this rule to the given expression, we have:
(-3)^-5 (-3)^4 = (-3)^(-5+4) = (-3)^(-1)
Using the rule for negative exponents, we know that a^(-n) = 1/a^n. Thus:
(-3)^(-1) = 1/(-3)^1 = 1/-3 = -1/3
Therefore, (-3)^-5 (-3)^4 simplifies to -1/3.