[MOVED] basic exponents: 4^(-1)

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Mathisconfusing101

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2006
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I can't remember how to simplify this expression. I'm sure it's easy, but...

Here it is:

. . .4^(-1)

In words, that's "four, raised to the power negative one".

Thank you!
 
A negative power just means to move the base to the other side of the fraction line. So:

. . . . .x<sup>-2</sup> = 1/x<sup>2</sup>

. . . . .3/y<sup>-1</sup> = 3y<sup>1</sup> = 3y

. . . . .(-4)<sup>-2</sup> = 1/(-4)<sup>2</sup> = 1/16

And so forth.

Eliz.
 
ok... so i think i understand it...

im helping a girl im babysitting with her math hw... and its been a while... lol


so 4^-1 would be 1/4?
 
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