negitive exponents

I guess that could be restated at:
(-5)^4 * 5^(-8)

I this is true then consider each part:
(-5)^4 = (-1)^4 * (5)^4 = +1*5^4 = 5^4

and
5^(-8) = 1/[5^8]

So combining gives:
5^4 / [5^8] = 1/[5^4] = 5^(-4) = 1/(5*5*5*5) = 1/ 625.

Answer would be in term of positive exponents : 1/[5^4]

Other people agree?

I do agree with you Jimsablast.

I'd just like to look at it slightly differently.

First consider
y ³ * y ² = yyy * yy = yyyyy = y ⁵
or
y ³ * y ² = y ³⁺² = y ⁵
--------------------------------------------
(-5) ⁴ * 5 ^(-8)

= (-1) ⁴ * 5 ⁴ * 5 ^(-8) (Just as you said)

= +1 * 5 ^4+-8

= 5 ^-4

= 1 / 5 ⁴