evaluate. write your answer as a fraction or whole number without exponents. 2^(-4) =

Explanation:

Step1: Apply negative - exponent rule

According to the rule $a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^{n}}$, for $a = 2$ and $n = 4$, we have $2^{-4}=\frac{1}{2^{4}}$.

Step2: Calculate $2^{4}$

$2^{4}=2\times2\times2\times2 = 16$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{16}$