Find the Exact Value (-2)^4(-2)^-1

${(- 2)}^{4} {(- 2)}^{- 1}$

Step 1

Multiply ${(- 2)}^{4}$ by ${(- 2)}^{- 1}$ by adding the exponents.

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

${(- 2)}^{4 - 1}$

Subtract $1$ from $4$ .

${(- 2)}^{3}$

Step 2

Raise $- 2$ to the power of $3$ .

$- 8$