NEGATIVE EXPONENTS

Front

What is a negative exponent?

Back

A negative exponent indicates that the base should be taken as the reciprocal raised to the opposite positive exponent. For example, a^-n = 1/a^n.

Front

Rewrite using a positive exponent: w^-13

Back

1/w^13

Front

Rewrite using a positive exponent: x^-7

Back

1/x^7

Front

Rewrite using a positive exponent: 7^-10

Back

1/7^10

Front

Rewrite using a positive exponent: g^-7

Back

1/g^7

Front

Simplify: 5^-2

Back

1/25

Front

What is the rule for negative exponents?

Back

The rule states that a^-n = 1/a^n, where a is not equal to zero.

Front

If a = 2, what is a^-3?

Back

1/2^3 = 1/8.

Front

Convert the expression 10^-1 to a positive exponent.

Back

1/10.

Front

What happens when you multiply two numbers with negative exponents?

Back

a^-m * a^-n = a^-(m+n).