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what is the definition of a negative exponent?

 May 5, 2014

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+118724 
+8

I am not sure what you mean by definition but if something is raised to a negative power than write it as a fraction, swap it to the other side of the fraction line and change the negative to a positive.

eg

$$6x^{-3}=\frac{6x^{-3}}{1}=\frac{6}{1\times x^{+3}}=\frac{6}{x^{3}}$$

Does that make sense? (Only the x was raised to a negative power so everthing else stayed in its original position.)

 May 5, 2014
 #1
avatar+118724 
+8
Best Answer

I am not sure what you mean by definition but if something is raised to a negative power than write it as a fraction, swap it to the other side of the fraction line and change the negative to a positive.

eg

$$6x^{-3}=\frac{6x^{-3}}{1}=\frac{6}{1\times x^{+3}}=\frac{6}{x^{3}}$$

Does that make sense? (Only the x was raised to a negative power so everthing else stayed in its original position.)

Melody May 5, 2014

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