Fill in the blanks using the available answer choices.

Question

Select the correct symbol to complete a true statement: (-2) to the power of 5 _______ (-5) to the power of 2.

-<
->
-=

Answer 1

To compare \((-2)^5\) and \((-5)^2\), we first calculate each value.

1. Calculate \((-2)^5\): \[ (-2)^5 = -2 \times -2 \times -2 \times -2 \times -2 = -32 \]

2. Calculate \((-5)^2\): \[ (-5)^2 = -5 \times -5 = 25 \]

Now we compare \(-32\) and \(25\):

\(-32 < 25\)

So, the correct symbol to complete the statement is:

\((-2)^5 < (-5)^2\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(-<\)