Put the simplified expressions in order on the number line from least to greatest.

(-2)^-8.(2)^11

(1/2)^3

2^6 -2^4/2^2

1/4^-2

1 answer

Let's simplify each expression step by step before ordering them.

  1. Expression 1: \((-2)^{-8} \cdot (2)^{11}\)

    \[ (-2)^{-8} = \frac{1}{(-2)^8} = \frac{1}{256} \]

    Since \((-2)^8 = (2^8) = 256\), we have: \[ (-2)^{-8} \cdot (2)^{11} = \frac{1}{256} \cdot 2^{11} = \frac{2^{11}}{256} \] Now calculating \(2^{11} = 2048\): \[ (-2)^{-8} \cdot (2)^{11} = \frac{2048}{256} = 8 \]

  2. Expression 2: \((\frac{1}{2})^3\)

    \[ (\frac{1}{2})^3 = \frac{1}{2^3} = \frac{1}{8} \]

  3. Expression 3: \(2^6 - \frac{2^4}{2^2}\)

    \[ 2^6 = 64 \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{2^4}{2^2} = 2^{4-2} = 2^2 = 4 \] Thus, \[ 2^6 - \frac{2^4}{2^2} = 64 - 4 = 60 \]

  4. Expression 4: \(\frac{1}{4^{-2}}\)

    \[ 4^{-2} = \frac{1}{4^2} = \frac{1}{16} \quad \text{so} \quad \frac{1}{4^{-2}} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{16}} = 16 \]

Now we have the simplified values:

  • Expression 1: \(8\)
  • Expression 2: \(\frac{1}{8}\)
  • Expression 3: \(60\)
  • Expression 4: \(16\)

Now let's order these values from least to greatest:

\[ \frac{1}{8} < 8 < 16 < 60 \]

Putting it all together, the order from least to greatest is: \[ (1/2)^3 < (-2)^{-8} \cdot (2)^{11} < 1/4^{-2} < 2^6 - \frac{2^4}{2^2} \]

Thus, the final order of the expressions is:

  1. \((\frac{1}{2})^3\)
  2. \((-2)^{-8} \cdot (2)^{11}\)
  3. \(\frac{1}{4^{-2}}\)
  4. \(2^6 - \frac{2^4}{2^2}\)