An negative exponent or power, means that the number elevated to that negative power is one divided by that number raised to the positive same power, that is:
x^-n = 1/x^n n being a positive number. So in this case we have: 4^-3 = 1/<span>4^3 = 1/(4*4*4) = 1/64</span>
Let pc be pencils, and pn be pens. Then: 5pc+pn=250 pc+2pn=185 Then 10pc+2pn=500 pc+2pn=185 9pc=315 pc=35 pn=75 Pencils are 35 cents; pens are 75 cents
