Evaluate (1/4)^(-1): Converting Negative Exponents to Reciprocals

We use the power property for a negative exponent:

$a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^n}$We will write the fraction in parentheses as a negative power with the help of the previously mentioned power:

$\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1}{4^1}=4^{-1}$We return to the problem, where we obtained:

$\big(\frac{1}{4}\big)^{-1}=(4^{-1})^{-1}$We continue and use the power property of an exponent raised to another exponent:

$(a^m)^n=a^{m\cdot n}$And we apply it in the problem:

$(4^{-1})^{-1}=4^{-1\cdot-1}=4^1=4$Therefore, the correct answer is option d.