why is (-125)^-2/3 1/25. why isn't it -1/25?
recall that a^(-x) = 1/a^x
having a negative exponent does not imply you get a negative answer.
so (-125)^-2/3 = 1/(-125)^(2/3)
= 1/[(-125)^(1/3)]^2
= 1/(-5)^2
= 1/25
having a negative exponent does not imply you get a negative answer.
so (-125)^-2/3 = 1/(-125)^(2/3)
= 1/[(-125)^(1/3)]^2
= 1/(-5)^2
= 1/25