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 $2^{4}$

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

Step3: Get the final result

Since $2^{-4}=\frac{1}{2^{4}}$ and $2^{4}=16$, then $2^{-4}=\frac{1}{16}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{16}$