How would I do 2^-3?

Question

2^-3 I don't get the concept of negative exponents.

Answer 1

2 ^ -3 is same as 1/ (2^3) = 1/8

:)

Answer 2

"I don't get the concept of negative exponents."

 

Consider these:

 

2^3 / 2^2 = 2*2*2/(2*2*1) =

(2/2)*(2/2)*(2/1) = 2 = 2^(3-2) = 2^1

 

2^2 / 2^3 = 2*2*1/(2*2*2) =

(2/2)*(2/2)*(1/2) = 1/2 = 2^(2-3) = 2^(-1)

Answer 3

You've asked about the concept of negative exponents. It is first necessary to understand the concept of exponents. The exponent of a number or expression indicates how many times to multiply or divide the number or expression by itself. If the exponent is positive, the operation is multiplication. If the exponent is negative, the operation is division. This concept is easier to understand if you think of multiplying or dividing the number 1 by the exponential number or expression. That means that 5^2 is 1 x 5^2, that is, 1 x (5 x 5), or 25. On the other hand, 5^-2 is 1 / 5^2, that is 1/(5 x 5), or 1/5 / 5, or 1/25.

Answer 4

Hi Mirage;

A negative exponent means the figure is in the denominator...

2^-3

1/2³

1/[(2)(2)(2)]

1/8