Alydsa C.

asked • 01/22/17

How do I simplify expressions with negative exponents

The number of seconds there are in 1 millisecond

Andrew M.

For negative exponents:
 
a-n = 1/an
Example:  3-3 = 1/33 = 1/27
 
1/a-n = an
Example:  1/2-4 = 24 = 16
 
Example:
x-2/x-3 = x3/x2 = x
 
Remember that division of this type is basically
multiplication by another name:  2/3 = 2*1/3
 
x/y = x(1/y)
 
The same is true when exponents are involved:
3/x-2 = 3x2
 
3x-2 = 3/x2
 
(4x5y-2)/(2x-2y3) = (4/2)(x5/x-2)(y-2/y3) =
 
2x5x2(1/(y2y3)) = (2x7/y5)
 
Report

01/22/17

Susan H.

Absolutely agree!  Susan, Bay City
Report

09/06/17

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