What number to the power of - 2 gives you (4/25)

x = - 5/2, 5/2

Step-by-step explanation:

x^ - 2 = 4/25

negative exponents means flip from numerator to denominator (or vice versa)

(1/x) ^2 = 4/25

take the square root of each side (remember you get a positive and negative result)

sqrt (1/x) = sqrt (4/25)

1/x = + 2/5 1/x = - 2/5

multiply each side by x

1 = + 2/5 x 1 = - 2/5 x

multiply by 5/2 multiply by - 5/2

5/2 = + 2/5 x * 5/2 - 5/2 = - 2/5 x * - 5/2

5/2 = + x - 5/2 = x

x = 5/2, - 5/2