Use the Product Rule to Simplify the Expression $( - 2 ) ^ { 2 } ( - 2 ) ^ { 7 }$

Multiple Choice

Use the product rule to simplify the expression. Write the result using exponents.
- $( - 2 ) ^ { 2 } ( - 2 ) ^ { 7 }$

A) $( - 2 ) ^ { 9 }$
B) $(4) ^ { 9 }$
C) $- 4 ^ { 14 }$
D) $2 ^ { 9 }$