If a is a nonzero real number, what does a^-2 equal?
A-2a
B2/a
C1/a^2
D-(a^2)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. 1/a^2
By the negative-exponent rule, a^-2 = 1/a^2 for any nonzero a. Check with a = 3: a^-2 = 1/9, and 1/a^2 = 1/9. Option A treats the exponent as a multiplier, which is wrong.
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