Question

Apply the Properties of Integer Exponents to generate equivalent expressions to 4^0 ⋅ 5^−2/(−2)^−3
with only positive exponents, then solve the expression. Your answer will be a simplified fraction with no remaining exponents

1 answer

To simplify the expression \( \frac{4^0 \cdot 5^{-2}}{(-2)^{-3}} \) using the properties of integer exponents, we will first evaluate each term one by one.

  1. Evaluate \( 4^0 \): \[ 4^0 = 1 \]

  2. Rewrite \( 5^{-2} \): \[ 5^{-2} = \frac{1}{5^2} = \frac{1}{25} \]

  3. Rewrite \( (-2)^{-3} \): \[ (-2)^{-3} = \frac{1}{(-2)^3} = \frac{1}{-8} = -\frac{1}{8} \]

Now substitute these back into the expression:

\[ \frac{4^0 \cdot 5^{-2}}{(-2)^{-3}} = \frac{1 \cdot \frac{1}{25}}{-\frac{1}{8}} \]

This simplifies to:

\[ \frac{\frac{1}{25}}{-\frac{1}{8}} = \frac{1}{25} \cdot -8 = -\frac{8}{25} \]

Therefore, the equivalent expression simplified with only positive exponents is:

\[ -\frac{8}{25} \]

Thus, the final answer is:

\[ \boxed{-\frac{8}{25}} \]