write the expression with positive exponents

Question

write the expression with positive exponents

a⁹b^-1c^-2

Answer 1

To change the sign of an exponent, you have to flip it from numerator to denominator, or from denominator to numerator depending on where it started. Basically, you want it to be in the opposite one from where it started. To have a numerator/denominator, you need a fraction. If you don't have a fraction, you can create one by setting your expression over 1. Let's do that first.

 

1. a⁹b^-1c^-2

   -----------

         1

 

2. Now we can flip the positions of the variables with the negative exponents so that the exponent will flip signs, thereby becoming a positive exponent. I'll do this one at a time, beginning with the b^-1. The a⁹ will not move because it is already positive and if we flip it, it will become negative.

 

a⁹c^-2

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   b¹

 

3. Now, let's do the same to the c^-2.

 

  a⁹

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b¹c²

 

 

Every exponent is positive now so this will be our final answer. 

 

  a⁹
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b¹c²