Simplify 3^(-2) × 3^4: Combining Negative and Positive Exponents

To solve this problem, we will simplify the expression $3^{-2} \times 3^4$ using the rules of exponents:

Step 1: Recognize that both numbers have the same base, 3. Therefore, we can apply the rule for multiplying powers of the same base, which is to add the exponents: $3^a \times 3^b = 3^{a+b}$.

Step 2: Add the exponents:

$(-2) + 4 = 2$

Step 3: Write the expression with the new exponent:

$3^2$

Thus, the simplified form of $3^{-2} \times 3^4$ is $3^2$.

The correct answer is $3^2$.