To determine which expression, when simplified, leaves a negative exponent, let's analyze each option one by one.
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\(23−24\) (or \(2^3 - 2^4\)): This is a subtraction of two exponential values, and does not result in a negative exponent. It simplifies to \(2^3 - 2^4 = 8 - 16 = -8\).
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\(-2(-3)^2\): This simplifies to \(-2(9) = -18\). There is no exponent involved that would result in a negative exponent.
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\(2^5 ⋅ 2^{-2}\): Using the laws of exponents, this simplifies to \(2^{5 + (-2)} = 2^{3}\). The result is a positive exponent (3), not a negative one.
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\(\frac{2^{-12}}{2^{-6}}\): Using the laws of exponents, specifically the rule that states \(\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}\), we get: \[ \frac{2^{-12}}{2^{-6}} = 2^{-12 - (-6)} = 2^{-12 + 6} = 2^{-6} \] This does give us a negative exponent (-6).
The expression that simplifies to a negative exponent is:
\(\frac{2^{-12}}{2^{-6}}\).