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Negative Exponents


Date: 10/23/96 at 19:21:56
From: Mike
Subject: Negative exponents

I have to simplify this expression with non-negative exponents: x^5.
I don't understand the question.  Is it just x/x 5 times? How is that 
simplified?

Date: 10/24/96 at 18:30:16
From: Doctor Allen
Subject: Re: Negative exponents

Since your subject line says negative exponents, I assume you are 
asking about x^-5. 

If that is the case, the negative sign indicates the reciprocal 
or 1/(x^5).

-Doctor Allen,  The Math Forum
 Check out our web site!  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

Associated Topics:
High School Basic Algebra
Middle School Algebra

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