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

Explanation:

Step1: Apply negative - exponent rule

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

Step2: Calculate $4^{2}$

$4^{2}=4\times4 = 16$. So $\frac{1}{4^{2}}=\frac{1}{16}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{16}$