Write the expression with positive exponents only. Then simplify if possible. Type your answer as a fraction.
$$
−4−2=
(-4)^{-2} = \frac{1}{(-4)^2} = \frac{1}{16}
The answer is 1/16
Apologies for the mistake. You are correct, the expression simplifies to 1/16.
To write the expression with positive exponents only, we can use the property of exponents which states that a negative exponent can be rewritten as the reciprocal with a positive exponent.
$$
-4^{-2} = -\frac{1}{4^2}
$$
Simplifying further,
$$
-\frac{1}{4^2} = -\frac{1}{16}
$$
Therefore, the expression with positive exponents only is $-\frac{1}{16}$.