Question

Which is the value of this expression when j = negative 2 and k = negative 1?

(StartFraction j k Superscript negative 2 Baseline Over j Superscript negative 1 Baseline k Superscript negative 3 Baseline EndFraction) cubed
–64
Negative one-half
One-half
64

Answer 1

Simplify inside the parentheses:
(j k^{-2})/(j^{-1} k^{-3}) = j^{1-(-1)} k^{-2-(-3)} = j^2 k^1 = j^2 k.

Raise to the third power: (j^2 k)^3 = j^6 k^3.

Now substitute j = -2, k = -1:
j^6 = (-2)^6 = 64, k^3 = (-1)^3 = -1, so 64·(−1) = −64.

Answer: −64.