Learn how to rewrite the equation. Each piece of the equation with a negative exponent will need to be rewritten so that the exponent becomes positive. This is done by placing the exponential term in the denominator of an equation with the number "1" placed in the numerator:
x^-n = 1/(x^n)
"X" represents the number and "N" represents the exponent.
Rewrite the equation you wish to solve. For example, if your problem was 4^-3 x 5^-2 = Y. The equation would be rewritten as:
Y = 1 /(4^3) x 1/(5^2)
In this equation, "Y" represents the value for which you are solving.
Multiply the exponents on each side of the equation. Therefore:
4^3 (or 4 x 4 x 4) = 64 and 5^2 (or 5 x 5) = 25.
Rewrite the equation as Y = 1/64 x 1/25
Multiply the denominators on each side of the equation. Using a calculator can save you time from longhand multiplication. The example would compute as the following:
Y = 1/64 x 1/25
64 x 25 = 1,600
Rewrite the equation given your new answer. Y = 1/1,600
Solve for "Y" to obtain your answer. Again a calculator can save you from longhand division.
Y = 1/1600
Y = 0.000625