Answer:
x = - 4
Step-by-step explanation:
Using the rule of exponents
[tex]a^{-m}[/tex] ⇔ [tex]\frac{1}{a^{m} }[/tex]
note that 16 = [tex]2^{4}[/tex]
Then
[tex]2^{x}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{1}{2^4}[/tex] = [tex]2^{-4}[/tex]
Since the bases on both sides are equal, both 2, then equate exponents
x = - 4
