Exponents can make a simple number extremely complicated. An exponent, also known as a power, instructs a number to multiply with itself a specified number of times --- for x^n, x multiplies to itself n times. A negative exponent affects the expression in an opposite way, instructing the expression to divide itself, resulting in a reciprocal form --- x^-n becomes (1/x)^n. When an exponent is attached to a fraction, the exponent applies both its numerator and denominator; having a negative exponent will affect the positions of both the numerator's and denominator's products.
Instructions
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1
Invert the fraction. For an example, 2/3^-2 becomes 3/2^-2.
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2
Drop the negative sign from the exponent: 3/2^-2 becomes 3/2^2.
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3
Solve the expression: 3/2^2 is the same as 3/2 --- 3/2, which equals 9/4.