evaluate. write your answer as a fraction or whole number without exponents. 2^{-2} =

Explanation:

Step1: Apply negative - exponent rule

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

Step2: Calculate the denominator

$2^{2}=2\times2 = 4$. So, $\frac{1}{2^{2}}=\frac{1}{4}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{4}$