Simplify 5^-2: Negative Exponent Calculation Step-by-Step

Question

52 5^{-2}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:03 A negative exponent switches between numerator and denominator
00:06 An exponent is the number multiplied by itself the number of times of the power
00:09 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

We use the property of powers of a negative exponent:

an=1an a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^n} We apply it to the problem:

52=152=125 5^{-2}=\frac{1}{5^2}=\frac{1}{25}

Therefore, the correct answer is option d.

Answer

125 \frac{1}{25}