To simplify the expression \(-2^{-5}\), we can use the properties of exponents.
- Negative Exponent Rule: \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\)
Using this rule, we can rewrite \(-2^{-5}\) as:
\[ -2^{-5} = -\frac{1}{2^5} \]
- Next, we need to calculate \(2^5\):
\[ 2^5 = 32 \]
- Substituting this back into the expression gives:
\[ -2^{-5} = -\frac{1}{32} \]
Thus, the simplified form of \(-2^{-5}\) is:
\[ -\frac{1}{32} \]