Negative Exponents

With Variable bases, regular

number bases and both.
 Negative Exponents
Definition: When you see a negative exponent
immediately write down a fraction bar next to it.
Take the base that has a negative exponent and
move it to the opposite portion on the fraction.
After you make the move, the exponent
becomes positive.
Detail: If it is a whole number assume it
originates in the numerator and move it to the
denominator. If it is in the denominator move it
to the numerator.
 Negative Exponents
EX 1
x -3 =

Ex 2
1 =
y -4
 Negative Exponents
EX 1 S1) Write a fraction bar next
x -3 = to the problem
S2) Put the base and
Ex 2 exponent in the opposite
portion of the fraction
1 = (change the exponent to
y -4 a positive when you do
so.)
* If nothing is left in the
numerator, assume it’s a
_______.
 Negative Exponents
EX 1 S1) Write a fraction bar next
x -3 = 1 to the problem
x3 S2) Put the base and
exponent in the opposite
portion of the fraction
Ex 2 (change the exponent to
1 = a positive when you do
y -4 so.)
* If nothing is left in the
numerator, assume it’s a
___1____.
 Negative Exponents
EX 1 S1) Write a fraction bar next
x -3 = 1 to the problem
x3 S2) Put the base and
exponent in the opposite
portion of the fraction
Ex 2 (change the exponent to
1 = y4 a positive when you do
y -4 so.)
* If nothing is left in the
numerator, assume it’s a
___1____.
 Negative Exponents
Ex 3

3x -2 =

Ex 4

(3x) -2 =
 Negative Exponents
Ex 3 EX 3
The exponent in this case
belongs only to the variable
3x -2 = before it. IT HAS NOTHING
TO DO WITH THE
COEFFICIENT!!

Ex 4 EX 4
Because of the parenthesis,
the base of this example is
(3x) -2 = everything inside the
parenthesis. So we move
EVERYTHING inside the
parenthesis.
 Negative Exponents
Ex 3 EX 3
The exponent in this case
belongs only to the variable
3x -2 = 3 before it. IT HAS NOTHING
x2 TO DO WITH THE
COEFFICIENT!!

Ex 4 EX 4
Because of the parenthesis,
parenthesis,
the base of this example is
(3x) -2 = everything inside the
parenthesis. So we move
EVERYTHING inside the
parenthesis. Then distribute
the exponent to each term.
Inside the parenthesis.
 Negative Exponents
Ex 3 EX 3
The exponent in this case
belongs only to the variable
3x -2 = 3 before it. IT HAS NOTHING
x2 TO DO WITH THE
COEFFICIENT!!

Ex 4 EX 4
Because of the parenthesis,
parenthesis,
the base of this example is
(3x) -2 = 1 everything inside the
parenthesis. So we move
9x 2 EVERYTHING inside the
parenthesis. Then distribute
the exponent to each term.
Inside the parenthesis.
 Negative Exponents
Ex 5

-5x -3 =
y -4

Ex 6

4 =
a -6
 Negative Exponents
Ex 5 There are two different

-5x
-3 = types of negatives in Ex
y -4 5. A negative coefficient
is completely different
than a negative exponent.
ONLY NEGATIVE
EXPONENTS MOVE.
Ex 6 Both of these regular

4 = numbers are going to
stay where they are
a -6 regardless of whether
they are negative or not!
 Negative Exponents
Ex 5 There are two different

-5x
-3 = -5y 4 types of negatives in Ex
y -4 x3 5. A negative coefficient
is completely different
than a negative exponent.
ONLY NEGATIVE
EXPONENTS MOVE.
Ex 6 Both of these regular

4 = numbers are going to
stay where they are
a -6 regardless of whether
they are negative or not!
 Negative Exponents
Ex 5 There are two different

-5x
-3 = -5y 4 types of negatives in Ex
y -4 x3 5. A negative coefficient
is completely different
than a negative exponent.
ONLY NEGATIVE
EXPONENTS MOVE.
Ex 6 Both of these regular

4 = 4a 6 numbers are going to
stay where they are
a -6 regardless of whether
they are negative or not!
 Negative Exponents
Ex 7 If you have a negative

4 -3 exponent on a
number, move the
number. Then
Ex 8 multiply using the

1 exponent.
3 -2 Always multiply it out!!
 Negative Exponents
Ex 7 If you have a negative

4 -3 = 1 = 1 exponent on a
43 64 number, move the
number. Then
multiply using the
exponent.
Ex 8 Always multiply it out!!

1
3 -2
 Negative Exponents
Ex 7 If you have a negative

4 -3 = 1 = 1 exponent on a
43 64 number, move the
number. Then
multiply using the
exponent.
Ex 8 Always multiply it out!!

1 = 32= 9
3 -2
 Negative Exponents
Ex 9 Key Point:

2 * 4 -2 = The difference
between these two
problems is ?
Ex 10

(2 * 4) -2 = How does it change
the problem?
 Negative Exponents
Ex 9 Key Point:

2 * 4 -2 = The difference between
these two problems is the
parenthesis.
Ex 10

(2 * 4) -2 = How does it change the
problem? The base in the
first problem is only 4, in
the second problem the
base is 2*4 or 8! The
answer changes a LOT!!
 Negative Exponents
Ex 9 Key Point:

2 * 4 -2 = 2= 2 = 1 The difference between
4 2 16 8 these two problems is the
parenthesis.
Ex 10

(2 * 4) -2 = How does it change the
problem? The base in the
first problem is only 4, in
the second problem the
base is 2*4 or 8! The
answer changes a LOT!!
 Negative Exponents
Ex 9 Key Point:

2 * 4 -2 = 2= 2 = 1 The difference between
4 2 16 8 these two problems is the
parenthesis.
Ex 10

(2 * 4) -2 = (8)-2 = 1 = 1 How does it change the
8 2 64 problem? The base in the
first problem is only 4, in
the second problem the
base is 2*4 or 8! The
answer changes a LOT!!
 Negative Exponents
Extra Practice
1. 4x -3
2. (4x) -3
3. (2 * 5) -2
4. 2 * 5 -2