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 to simplify: \(-6^{-2}\). This means the negative of \$6\( raised to the power of \)-2$.
2. Recall the rule for negative exponents: \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\), where \(a \neq 0\). 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, which is \(6 \times 6\).
4. Rewrite the original expression using the negative sign and the positive exponent result: \(-6^{-2} = -\frac{1}{6^2}\).
5. Express the simplified form with no negative exponents as \(-\frac{1}{36}\), since \$6^2 = 36$ (do not calculate the final value, just set up the expression).