From MATH workbook.

Answer:
-8
Step-by-step explanation:
Ok so lets first solve the first one:
[tex]-2^{4} = -2 x -2 x -2 x-2=[/tex] [tex]16[/tex]
[tex]x[/tex] represents times if that's confusing.
Ok so I got [tex]16[/tex] b/c if we multiply a negative times a negative we get positive. And there are 4 negatives not 3 not not 5 but 4 so we get positive.
Now second one:
[tex]-2^{-1} = - 0.5[/tex]
Now lets put it together!
[tex]-0.5 x 16=-8[/tex]
Hope this helps :)