Exponents are numbers that are used to multiply values by a given number of times, as indicated by the exponent's value. You typically work with exponents in an algebra I or algebra II course in high school or college. Sometimes you may run into negative exponents. Since a term containing a negative exponent is not in its simplest form, you must take some basic steps to distribute the negative exponent in such a way as to rid the answer of the negative sign.
Instructions
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1
Write down the terms containing the negative exponent. For example, you might have b^-7.
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2
Begin a fraction by writing the number 1 in the numerator (top portion of the fraction).
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3
Write the term with the negative exponent in the denominator (bottom portion of the fraction). Keep the exponent, but drop the negative sign. In this example, b^-7 would become 1/b^7.