Evaluate $\left(-\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^{-4}$.

Evaluate $\left(-\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^{-4}$.
  1. $-16$
  2. $16$
  3. $-\dfrac{1}{16}$
  4. $\dfrac{1}{16}$

Solution

Reciprocal first: $\left(-2\right)^{4}$. Even power of negative is positive: $16$.

Asked in: IMO

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