Question

Simplify the following expression to remove negative exponents.

Answer 1

When there is a negative exponent, you switch the side of the fraction it's on. If the negative exponent is the numerator or a whole number, like $x^{-9}$ or $\frac{x^{-9} }{3}$, you move the exponent and its coefficient to the bottom so that it's part of the denominator, and remove the negative.

$x^{-9}$ = $\frac{1}{x^{9} }$

$\frac{x^{-9} }{3}$= $\frac{1}{3x^{9} }$

If the exponent is on the bottom, or part of the denominator, like $\frac{1}{x^{-4} }$, we move it to the top and take out the negative.

$\frac{1}{x^{-4} }$ = $x^{4}$

In our case, the expression is $x^{-7}$.

So, using our new knowledge of negative exponents, we can take the exponent and put it as a denominator.

$x^{-7}$ = $\frac{1}{x^7}$

The answer would be the last answer.

hope this helps!