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Bunuel
If 0 < a < 1, which of the following is the greatest?


A. \((-2a)^{(-2)}\)

B. \(\frac{1}{a^{(-2)}}\)

C. \((\frac{1}{a})^{(-2)}\)

D. \(a^{(-2)}\)

E. \(a^2\)

Since we know a is between 0 and 1, let’s let a = 1/2. Now we analyze each answer choice:

A)

[-2(1/2)]^-2 = (-1)^-2 = 1

B)

1/(1/2)^-2 = 1/(2^2) = ¼

C)

(1/(1/2))^-2 = 2^-2 = 1/4

D)

(1/2)^-2 = 2^2 = 4

E)

(1/2)^2 = 1/4

Answer: D
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Bunuel
If 0 < a < 1, which of the following is the greatest?


A. \((-2a)^{(-2)}\)

B. \(\frac{1}{a^{(-2)}}\)

C. \((\frac{1}{a})^{(-2)}\)

D. \(a^{(-2)}\)

E. \(a^2\)

We see that both choices B and D can be simplified as a^2, which is choice E; thus, we know that none of these 3 choices could be the right answer. We are left with choices A and D.

We can let a = ½. Thus, choice A becomes (-1)^(-2) = 1 and choice D becomes (½)^(-2) = 2^2 = 4. We see that choice D is has the greatest value.

Answer: D
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