Simplify the expression with NO negative exponents.
$-6^{-2}$

• A. $\frac{1}{36}$
• B. $-36$
• C. $-\(\frac{1}{36}\)$
• D. $36$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the expression: \(-6^{-2}\). Notice that the negative sign is in front of the base 6 raised to the power of -2.
2. Recall the rule for negative exponents: \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\). Apply this to \(6^{-2}\) to rewrite it as \(\frac{1}{6^2}\).
3. Calculate the positive exponent part (without final evaluation): \$6^2$ means \(6\) multiplied by itself twice, which is \(6 \times 6\).
4. Rewrite the expression with the negative sign and the positive exponent: \(-6^{-2} = -\frac{1}{6^2}\).
5. Express the simplified form without negative exponents as \(-\frac{1}{36}\), since \(6^2 = 36\) (do not calculate the final value, just show the form).