Negative Exponents Basics

x⁻⁶

• A

• B

• C

• D

• A

• B

• C

• D

• A

• B

• C

• D

x^-3

• 1/x³

• 1/x^-3

• 3x

• 1/3x

• a^-3

• a³

• 3a

According to exponent rules, if you have a negative exponent, you use the ____________________.

• negative

• reciprocal

• positive

When you see a negative exponent... (check ALL that apply)

• ... if it is in the numerator, flip it to the denominator and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the numerator, keep it there and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the denominator, keep it there and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the denominator, flip it to the numerator and make the exponent positive

• 4^-2

• 1/4²

• 1/16

• all of the above

Make this negative exponent positive.
9^-3

• 9³

• 1/9^-3

• 1/9³

• 729