How to Evaluate Exponential Expressions
How to evaluate the following expression: -15^(-3) * (-2)^(-2) for a = 2 and b = -3?
A. 5/24
B. -5/24
C. -1080
D. -40/3
Answer:
B
Explanation:
To evaluate -15^(-3) * (-2)^(-2) for a = 2 and b = -3, we first simplify each exponent before multiplying the results. Let's break it down step by step:
-15^(-3) = (-1)^3 * (15)^(-3) = -1 * (1/15)^3 = -1 * (1/3375)
(-2)^(-2) = (-1)^2 * (2)^(-2) = (1) * (1/2)^2 = (1) * (1/4) = 1/4
Combining the two simplified expressions, we get -1 * (1/3375) * (1/4) = -1/13500
Therefore, the correct answer is B. -5/24