What is 2 to the negative 2nd power?how did you get it?

In order to solve 2^-2, we must first look at negative powers.  Each time you have a negative power, the base of that power is moved to the other side of the fraction bar. 

For example, if the number with the negative exponent is in the numerator (top) spot in the fraction, it will be moved to the denominator spot and the exponent will become positive.  However, if the number with the negative exponent is in the denominator (bottom) spot in the fraction, it will be moved to the numerator spot and the exponent will again become positive. 

Now to specifically work your problem --  2^-2.  Because the base 2 is in the numerator spot we will move it to the denominator spot and make the -2 into a +2. 

• 2^-2


• 1/(2^2)  Because there were no other numbers in this problem, we use the 1 as a place holder in the numerator spot after we move the 2 to the bottom.


• 1/4 Two squared is four.  It stays as the denominator and nothing needs to be done to the numerator since it does not have a power.