[tex]\bf ~~~~~~~~~~~~\textit{negative exponents}
\\\\
a^{-n} \implies \cfrac{1}{a^n}
\qquad \qquad
\cfrac{1}{a^n}\implies a^{-n}
\qquad \qquad
a^n\implies \cfrac{1}{a^{-n}}
\\\\
-------------------------------\\\\
10-1^2-2^{-2}\implies 10-1-\cfrac{1}{2^2}\implies 9-\cfrac{1}{4}\implies \cfrac{36-1}{4}\implies \cfrac{35}{4}[/tex]