Rules of Exponents with Negatives

x^-4

• 1/x⁴

• 4x

• 4/x⁴

• -1/x^-4

Simplify the following expression:

(-12)⁰

• -1

• 1

• 12

• -12

Apply the correct exponent rule

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• 
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Apply the correct exponent rule.

9^-3

• 9³

• 1/9^-3

• 1/9³

• 729

When you see a negative exponent... (check ALL that apply)

• ... if it is in the numerator, flip it to the denominator and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the numerator, keep it there and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the denominator, keep it there and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the denominator, flip it to the numerator and make the exponent positive

x^-3

• 1/x³

• 1/x^-3

• 3x

• 1/3x

It is not proper to write answers with negative exponents. How do we "take care of" negative exponents?

• Write no solution if there is a negative exponent

• Just leave the negative exponent. It is mathematically okay.

According to exponent rules, if you have a negative exponent, you use the ____________________.

• negative

• reciprocal

• positive

UNDERSTANDING
If the exponent is a negative number...

• you will get a large number

• you will get a small number