Activity: Negative Exponents – 2010

In order to complete this activity you will need a graphing calculator Type each of the following
expressions into your calculator and:

• Write the result as a decimal

• Convert the decimal to a fraction (press “Math” then 1 or choose “Frac”)

• Write the problem and result as an equation.

1) Example: 2) (2/3)^(-1) 5) (1/2)^(-2)

(1/2)^(-1)

• Decimal: 2 3) (5)^(-1) 6) (2/3)^(-2)

2
• Fraction:
1
  −1
1 2
• Equation: =
2 1

4) (3/2)^(-1) 7) (3/2)^(-2)

Now do the same thing with some more complicated expressions

1) Example: 2) (1/(2/3))^(-1) 5) (1/(2/3))^(-2)

((2/3)/(4/5))^(-1)

• Decimal: 1.2
3) (1/(3/5))^(-1) 6) (1/(3/5))^(-2)
6
• Fraction:
5
 2  −1
6
• Equation:  3  =
 
4 5
5
4) (2/(3/5))^(-1) 7) (2/(3/5))^(-2)
Review the following exponent rules. Remember: The negative exponent is the reciprocal of the
positive exponent. Also, a power in the numerator can be transfered into the denominator and vice
1 2
= a2 and 4y3x5 z −2 = 4x3z2 y5 .
−2
versa by simply negating the sign of it’s exponent. a−2

Here are a few examples that may help as you work through the practice set.

 −2  2
3 4 42 16 7
= = 2 = =1 Why is the result greater?
4 3 3 9 9

1 1
4−2 = = Could you do this without a calculator?
42 16
5
5m−2 =
m2

3x−2 3
= 2
4 4x

5x2 y −3 5x6
=
3x−4 y 4 3y 7
2 2
5x2 y −3 3x−4 y 4 3y 7 32 y 7·2 9y 14
 −2  
= = = =
3x−4 y 4 5x2 y −3 5x6 52 x6·2 25x12
2
5x2 y −3 5x6 3y 7 9y 14
 −2  −2 
= = = Same expression as above
3x−4 y 4 3y 7 5x6 25x12

Simplify each expression.

1 3x−2 3xy
4
15x−5 y 8

 −3
5  −3
2 3xy
3x 5
15x−5 y 8

2
3x−3 y 5 27x−2 y 5
  −5
3 6
5xy 3 3x−5 y −2
Answers
Part 1: Part 2: more complicated expressions.
1. Example.
1. Example.
2. • Decimal: .6
2. • Decimal: 1.5 2
• Fraction:
3 3
• Fraction:   −1
2
1 2
• Equation:   =
2
  −1
2 3 3
• Equation: =
3 2 3

3. • Decimal: .6
3. • Decimal: .2 3
• Fraction:
1 5
• Fraction:
5   −1

1 1 3
• Equation:   =
• Equation: (5)−1 = 3 5
5
5

4. • Decimal: .6 4. • Decimal: .3
3
2 • Fraction:
• Fraction: 10
3   −1
  −1
3 2 2 3
• Equation: = • Equation:   =
2 3 3 10
5
5. • Decimal: 4 5. • Decimal: .4
4 4
• Fraction: • Fraction:
1 9
  −2   −2
1
• Equation: =4 1 4
2 • Equation:   =
2 9
3
6. • Decimal: 2.25
6. • Decimal: .36
9
• Fraction: 9
4 • Fraction:
25
  −2
2 9   −2
• Equation: =
3 4 1 9
• Equation:   =
3 25
5
7. • Decimal: .4
4 7. • Decimal: .09
• Fraction: 9
9 • Fraction:
  −2 100
3 4   −2
• Equation: =
2 9 2 9
• Equation:   =
3 100
5

Part 3:
3 x6
1. 4. 6.
x2 5y 7
27x−2 y 5
  −5
= 9x3 y 7

−5
3x−5 y −2
33 x3 27x3
2. or  5
53 125 1
=
9x3 y 7

1 1
9y 4 125y 21 = or
3. 5. 95 x15 y 35 59049x15 y 35
25x8 x18