Question

If a = – 1, b = 2, then find the value of the following:

a^b – b^a 

Answer 1

Given, a^b – b^a 

If a = –1 and b = 2,

Then (–1)² – (2)^–1

= `1 - 1/2^1`  ...`[∵ a^-m = 1/a^n]`

= `(2 - 1)/2`

= `1/2`