No problem! Let’s break it down step-by-step in simpler terms.
We are starting with the expression:
\[
-2^{-5}
\]
Step 1: Understanding the Negative Exponent
When you see a negative exponent, it means you should take the reciprocal of the base and change the exponent to positive. The rule is:
\[
a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}
\]
In our case, the base is \(2\) and the exponent is \(5\). So:
\[
-2^{-5} = -\frac{1}{2^5}
\]
Step 2: Calculate \(2^5\)
Now we need to find \(2^5\). This means multiplying \(2\) by itself \(5\) times:
\[
2^5 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2
\]
Calculating this step-by-step:
- \(2 \times 2 = 4\)
- \(4 \times 2 = 8\)
- \(8 \times 2 = 16\)
- \(16 \times 2 = 32\)
So, \(2^5 = 32\).
Step 3: Substitute Back
Now we can substitute \(32\) back into our expression:
\[
-2^{-5} = -\frac{1}{2^5} = -\frac{1}{32}
\]
Conclusion
So the simplified version of \(-2^{-5}\) is:
\[
-\frac{1}{32}
\]
If you have more questions or would like me to explain further, feel free to ask!