Question

Evaluating a Power with a Negative Exponent
What is the value of the expression (–5) -3?

1. Apply the negative exponents rule:    
1
(−5)3

2. Expand the power:          
1
(−5)(−5)(−5)

3. Simplify:               
1
x

What is the value of x?

Answer 1

(-5)^{-3} = 1/(-5)^3 = 1/((-5)(-5)(-5)) = 1/(-125).
So x = -125 and the value is -1/125.