Carcass wrote:
If q is an odd integer greater than 1, what is the value of (– 1)^q + 1?
A. – 2
B. – 1
C. 0
D. 2
E. It cannot be determined from the information given.
Key property: Odd integer exponents preserve the sign of the base
For example, (negative number)^(odd integer) = some negative number
Similarly, (positive number)^(odd integer) = some positive numberSince q is an odd integer, we can be certain that (– 1)^q = -1, which means (– 1)^q + 1 = (-1) + 1 = 0
Answer: C