Understanding Negative Exponents

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 108 views

Understanding Negative Exponents

Negative exponents can be simplified by using the rule that a number raised to a negative power is equal to the reciprocal of the number raised to the positive power. This rule can be expressed as: $$a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$$

Simplifying Negative Exponents

To simplify each expression, we will apply the rule for negative exponents. We will start with the first expression and work our way down.

a.) $$3^{-4}$$

Using the rule for negative exponents, we can rewrite the expression as: $$3^-4} = \frac{1}{3^4}$$ Now, we can simplify the expression by evaluating the exponent $$3^4 = 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 81$$ So, the simplified expression is: $$\frac{1{81}$$

b.) $$11^{-3}$$

Using the rule for negative exponents, we can rewrite the expression as: $$11^-3} = \frac{1}{11^3}$$ Now, we can simplify the expression by evaluating the exponent $$11^3 = 11 \times 11 \times 11 = 1331$$ So, the simplified expression is: $$\frac{1{1331}$$

c.) $$6^{-4}$$

Using the rule for negative exponents, we can rewrite the expression as: $$6^-4} = \frac{1}{6^4}$$ Now, we can simplify the expression by evaluating the exponent $$6^4 = 6 \times 6 \times 6 \times 6 = 1296$$ So, the simplified expression is: $$\frac{1{1296}$$

d.) $$10^{-3}$$

Using the rule for negative exponents, we can rewrite the expression as: $$10^-3} = \frac{1}{10^3}$$ Now, we can simplify the expression by evaluating the exponent $$10^3 = 10 \times 10 \times 10 = 1000$$ So, the simplified expression is: $$\frac{1{1000}$$

e.) $$2^{-6}$$

Using the rule for negative exponents, we can rewrite the expression as: $$2^-6} = \frac{1}{2^6}$$ Now, we can simplify the expression by evaluating the exponent $$2^6 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 64$$ So, the simplified expression is: $$\frac{1{64}$$

f.) $$200^{-2}$$

Using the rule for negative exponents, we can rewrite the expression as: $$200^-2} = \frac{1}{200^2}$$ Now, we can simplify the expression by evaluating the exponent $$200^2 = 200 \times 200 = 40000$$ So, the simplified expression is: $$\frac{1{40000}$$

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have simplified each expression using the rule for negative exponents. We have shown that a number raised to a negative power is equal to the reciprocal of the number raised to the positive power. This rule can be expressed as: $$a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$$

Final Answers

The final answers are:

$3^{-4} = \frac{1}{81}$
$11^{-3} = \frac{1}{1331}$
$6^{-4} = \frac{1}{1296}$
$10^{-3} = \frac{1}{1000}$
$2^{-6} = \frac{1}{64}$
$200^{-2} = \frac{1}{40000}$$<br/>$

Understanding Negative Exponents

Simplifying Negative Exponents

To simplify each expression, we will apply the rule for negative exponents. We will start with the first expression and work our way down.

Q&A

Q: What is the rule for simplifying negative exponents?

A: The rule for simplifying negative exponents is: $$a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$$

Q: How do I simplify an expression with a negative exponent?

A: To simplify an expression with a negative exponent, you can use the rule for negative exponents. For example, if you have the expression $$3^-4}$$, you can rewrite it as $$\frac{1{3^4}$$

Q: What is the difference between a positive exponent and a negative exponent?

A: A positive exponent is a number raised to a power, while a negative exponent is the reciprocal of a number raised to a power. For example, $$3^4$$ is a positive exponent, while $$3^{-4}$$ is a negative exponent.

Q: Can I simplify an expression with a negative exponent by using a calculator?

A: Yes, you can simplify an expression with a negative exponent by using a calculator. For example, if you have the expression $$3^-4}$$, you can enter it into a calculator and it will give you the result $$\frac{1{81}$$

Q: How do I evaluate an expression with a negative exponent?

A: To evaluate an expression with a negative exponent, you can use the rule for negative exponents. For example, if you have the expression $$6^-4}$$, you can rewrite it as $$\frac{1{6^4}$$

Q: Can I simplify an expression with a negative exponent by using a formula?

A: Yes, you can simplify an expression with a negative exponent by using a formula. For example, if you have the expression $$10^-3}$$, you can use the formula $$a^{-n = \frac{1}{a^n}$$

Q: What is the final answer for the expression $$200^{-2}$$?

A: The final answer for the expression $$200^-2}$$ is $$\frac{1{40000}$$

Q: Can I simplify an expression with a negative exponent by using a graphing calculator?

A: Yes, you can simplify an expression with a negative exponent by using a graphing calculator. For example, if you have the expression $$2^-6}$$, you can enter it into a graphing calculator and it will give you the result $$\frac{1{64}$$

Conclusion

Final Answers

The final answers are:

$3^{-4} = \frac{1}{81}$
$11^{-3} = \frac{1}{1331}$
$6^{-4} = \frac{1}{1296}$
$10^{-3} = \frac{1}{1000}$
$2^{-6} = \frac{1}{64}$
$200^{-2} = \frac{1}{40000}$