7. What is this the solution as a whole number: 2^2 / 2^-4

To simplify the expression 2^2 / 2^-4, we can use the rule of division of exponents where we subtract the exponents.

2^2 = 2 * 2 = 4
2^-4 = 1/2^4 = 1/16

Therefore, the expression simplifies to 4 / (1/16). To divide by a fraction, we multiply by its reciprocal, so we have:

4 * (16/1) = 4 * 16 = 64

Therefore, the solution as a whole number is 64.