This week in math I learned about negative exponents, an exponent is the small number above a power and it indicates that you must and how to solve an equation with negative exponents. An example of a power is , in this example of a power the 5 would be considered the base and the 3 would be the exponent. I chose this topic as it is a skill that I am working to improve and I feel that being able to teach someone a skill will help me remember and help someone else learn it.

 

Example 1

To solve I would first start by turning into a fraction. The fraction it will become is, . In order to change the exponent, -4, from negative to positive I need to flip the fraction. Flipping the fraction will change the exponent from negative to positive which will leave me with . Then to complete the problem I would multiply , which leaves me with .

 

Example 2

To solve I would first start by multiplying by the exponent 2. Doing this would leave me with and  x^-3 by x^-3 . Multiplying 7 by 7 leaves me with 49 and multiplying x^-3 by x^-3 I get x^-6. I now need to turn 49 multiplied by x^-6 into a fraction. The fraction it will become is, . In order to change the exponent, -6, from negative to positive I need to move x^-6 to the other side of the fraction. Switching this will change the exponent from negative to positive which will leave me with .