Write the Fraction in Simplest Form (-2/5)^2

${(- \frac{2}{5})}^{2}$

Use the power rule ${(a b)}^{n} = a^{n} b^{n}$ to distribute the exponent.

Apply the product rule to $- \frac{2}{5}$ .

${(- 1)}^{2} {(\frac{2}{5})}^{2}$

Apply the product rule to $\frac{2}{5}$ .

${(- 1)}^{2} \frac{2^{2}}{5^{2}}$

Raise $- 1$ to the power of $2$ .

$1 \frac{2^{2}}{5^{2}}$

Multiply $\frac{2^{2}}{5^{2}}$ by $1$ .

$\frac{2^{2}}{5^{2}}$

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

$\frac{4}{5^{2}}$

Raise $5$ to the power of $2$ .

$\frac{4}{25}$