Understanding Negative Exponents

This video tutorial covers the concept of negative exponents, explaining how to convert them into positive exponents by using reciprocals. The instructor provides examples to demonstrate the process, emphasizing the importance of reading directions to determine whether a positive exponent is required. The tutorial concludes with a summary of the conversion process.

What is the reciprocal of a base with a negative exponent?

• The base with a negative exponent

• 1 over the base with a positive exponent

• The base with a positive exponent

• The base itself

Why is it important to read the directions when dealing with exponents?

• To know if the base should be changed

• To determine if the exponent should be positive

• To decide if the exponent should be negative

• To find out if the base should be squared

What is the positive version of 8 to the negative n?

• 8 to the power of negative n

• 1 over 8 to the power of n

• 8 to the power of n

• 1 over 8 to the power of negative n

How do you convert 2 to the negative cube into a positive exponent?

• 2 to the power of 3

• 1 over 2 to the power of 2

• 2 cubed

• 1 over 2 cubed

What mistake do students often make when converting negative exponents?

• Changing the exponent to positive

• Changing the base to positive

• Changing the exponent to zero

• Changing the base to negative

How is 4 to the negative square expressed with a positive exponent?

• 1 over 4 to the power of 3

• 4 to the power of 2

• 1 over 4 squared

• 4 squared

What is the reciprocal of the base in the expression negative 2 to the negative fifth?

• 1 over 2

• Negative 2

• 2

• 1 over negative 2

What happens to the exponent when converting negative 2 to the negative fifth to a positive exponent?

• It becomes zero

• It doubles

• It remains negative

• It becomes positive

What is the final step in converting a negative exponent to a positive one?

• Write the reciprocal

• Change the exponent to zero

• Multiply by the base

• Change the base

What is the key concept in changing negative exponents to positive?

• Changing the base

• Changing the exponent to zero

• Writing the reciprocal

• Multiplying by the base