The correct answer is C. Nerisa did not make a mistake. She completed each step using the appropriate rules of exponents and calculations.
In step A and B, she used the Negative Exponent Rule to accurately evaluate [tex]4^{-2} [/tex]. In step C, she wrote 256 over 16 which is the correct way to multiply a whole number and a fraction. Lastly, she evaluated [tex]\frac{256}{16} [/tex] to get 16.
All of her calculations are correct.
