Timothy evaluated the expression using x = 3 and y = –4.

xy-2
3x2y−4

1. (1
3
)x−1y2

2. (1
3
)3−1(−4)2

3. (1
3
)(1
31
)(−4)2

4. (1
3
)(1
3
)(−16)

5. −16
9

Analyze Timothy’s steps. Is he correct? If not, why not?
Yes, he is correct.
No, he needed to add the exponents when he simplified the powers of the same base.
No, he needed to multiply 3 and –1 instead of creating a positive exponent in a fraction.
No, his value of (negative 4) squared should be positive because an even exponent indicates a positive value.