Simplifying (-3/4)^2 as a Fraction
This article explores how to express (-3/4)^2 as a fraction in its simplest form.
Understanding Exponents
An exponent indicates how many times a base number is multiplied by itself. In this case, (-3/4)^2 means (-3/4) multiplied by itself twice.
Calculation
- Square the numerator: (-3)^2 = 9
- Square the denominator: (4)^2 = 16
- Combine the results: 9/16
Therefore, (-3/4)^2 = 9/16.
Key Points
- Negative signs: When squaring a negative number, the result is always positive. This is because a negative number multiplied by a negative number yields a positive number.
- Simplifying Fractions: The fraction 9/16 is already in its simplest form. This means that the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.
In summary, (-3/4)^2 expressed as a fraction in its simplest form is 9/16.