H Algebra 2/Trig · Unit 1
Rewrite negative exponents as reciprocals, including when the negative exponent is in the denominator.
Negative means flip
A negative exponent does not make the number negative. It writes a reciprocal.
a−n = 1an
In the denominator
1a−n = an. The negative exponent comes up.
Keep the coefficient
5x−3 = 5x³. Only the powered factor flips.
Write with positive exponents
Final answers on this page use only positive exponents.
Rewrite with a positive exponent.
The formula is
a−n = 1an
x⁻⁴
1x⁴
Answer: 1x⁴
The formula is
a−n = 1an
y⁻³
1y³
Answer: 1y³
The formula is
a−n = 1an
z⁻⁵
1z⁵
Answer: 1z⁵
The formula is
a−n = 1an
7x⁻²
7x²
Answer: 7x²
The formula is
a−n = 1an
4m⁻³
4m³
Answer: 4m³
The formula is
a−n = 1an
6x⁻⁷
6x⁷
Answer: 6x⁷
A negative exponent in the denominator comes up.
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
5y⁻²
5 · y²
5y²
Answer: 5y²
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
8z⁻⁴
8 · z⁴
8z⁴
Answer: 8z⁴
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
2a⁻⁵
2 · a⁵
2a⁵
Answer: 2a⁵
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
9w⁻¹
9 · w¹
9w¹
Answer: 9w¹
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
4x⁻³
4 · x³
4x³
Answer: 4x³
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
3t⁻⁴
3 · t⁴
3t⁴
Answer: 3t⁴
Coefficients with a flip, including a negative exponent in the denominator.
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
7b⁻³
7 · b³
7b³
Answer: 7b³
The formula is
a−n = 1an
2y⁻⁵
2y⁵
Answer: 2y⁵
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
1x⁻⁶
1 · x⁶
x⁶
Answer: x⁶
A negative exponent in the denominator flips to the numerator.
The formula is
1a−n = an
6p⁻²
6 · p²
6p²
Answer: 6p²
Divide the coefficients. The variable still has a negative exponent.
102 = 5
5x⁻³
The formula is
a−n = 1an
5x³
Answer: 5x³
124 = 3
3y⁻²
The formula is
1a−n = an
3 · y²
3y²
Answer: 3y²
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