Question

(-2)^-3 x (-3)^-2 Pls help me solve

Answer 1

Answer:

$-\frac{1}{72}$

Step-by-step explanation:

We can solve this by using laws of indices.

To start, laws of indices state:

$x^{-y} = \frac{1}{x^y}$

So, let's firstly take the first part of the sum = $-2^{-3}$

According to the law shown above:

$-2^{-3} = \frac{1}{-2^3} = \frac{1}{-8} = -\frac{1}{8}$

Let's now take the second part of the sum = $-3^{-2}$

According to the law shown above:

$-3^{-2} = \frac{1}{-3^2} = \frac{1}{9}$

Finally, the sum tells us to multiply those two values together, so we do so:

$-\frac{1}{8} * \frac{1}{9} = -\frac{1}{72}$

Therefore, our final answer is $-\frac{1}{72}$.