Negative Exponents

This lesson teaches how to simplify expressions with negative exponents. It begins by explaining the concept of negative exponents using a chart of powers of 3, showing how values decrease as exponents become negative. The lesson identifies patterns and explains that a number raised to a negative exponent is the reciprocal of the number raised to the corresponding positive exponent. A formal definition is provided, stating that a to the power of negative n equals 1 over a to the power of n. The lesson concludes with an example of simplifying 4 to the power of negative 2, resulting in 1/16.

How would you simplify an expression with a negative exponent?

Evaluate 4 to the power of negative 2 and explain your steps.