Hello ^^ I'm new to this site :0 I was wondering if someone could help me with my schoolwork! I have a bit of a habit of overthinking my work, so I just need it checked by someone to make sure I actually am you know, getting it. The problem is -(5)^-1, and the lesson is exponents and exponential Functions. So what I think they are asking is for the fraction. So my choices are -1/5, -5, 5, and 1/5. I'm pretty sure it's 1/5, as you're supposed to turn it into a fraction to make it positive. If this is wrong, please tell me so, but do not give me the answer ^^
that is like -1 * 1/5^1
=-1/5
Hello! Welcome to the site! I'm here to help you with your schoolwork. It's great that you're seeking assistance to make sure you're on the right track.
Let's break down the problem you mentioned. You have -(5)^-1, and you're trying to determine the correct fraction among -1/5, -5, 5, and 1/5.
To correctly evaluate this expression, we need to remember two important rules: the negative sign outside the parentheses and the negative exponent.
1. Negative sign: When there's a negative sign outside the parentheses, it means we need to consider the sign of the whole expression. In this case, -(5)^-1 means we're dealing with the reciprocal of 5, which is positive.
2. Negative exponent: A negative exponent indicates that we need to take the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive exponent. So in this case, we need to take the reciprocal of 5 raised to the power of 1.
Now, let's apply these rules.
1. The base is 5, and the exponent is -1. So we need to take the reciprocal of 5, which is 1/5.
2. Since the negative sign is outside the parentheses, it only affects the sign of the entire expression and not the exponent or base. Therefore, the negative sign doesn't change the positive value of 1/5.
Based on this explanation, you're correct! The value of -(5)^-1 is indeed 1/5.
It's important to understand the rules and concepts behind solving problems like these, so you can confidently tackle similar questions in the future. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!