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Basically do the same thing you would with a positive exponent. However, the difference with negatives is that it will be a fraction with 1 over whatever the exponent comes out to. The negative just tells you to flip the position of the exponent from the numerator to the denominator.

For example if you have 5-2, it would become 1/52, which would then become 1/25.

Also, if you have a negative exponent in your denominator, you would flip it up to the numerator.

For example if you have 1/5-2, it would become 52, which would then be 25.

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Q: What do you do to a number with a negative exponent?
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Related questions

How do you raise anumber to a negative exponent?

A number to a negative exponent is the inverse of the number to the positive exponent. That is, x-a = 1/xa


Is a number raised to a negative exponent greater than 1?

No, a number raised to a negative exponent is less than 1. When a number is raised to a negative exponent, it is inverted and the exponent becomes positive. This means that the value of the number decreases as the exponent becomes more negative.


Why is a number to a negative exponent a fraction?

Because a number to the exponent 0 = 1 and any lesser exponent decreases the value.


What does it mean when an exponent is a negative number?

A negative exponent is the reciprocal of the corresponding positive exponent. 102 = 100 10-2 = 1/100


What is the negative exponent law?

If you have a negative exponent, then put 1/the number multiplied by itself the number of times of the exponent. For example: 3-2=1/(3x3)=1/9


What are the rules for a number with a negative exponent?

A number with a negative exponent should be treated as the reciprocal of that same number with the analogous positive exponent. For example, 42 = 16, but 4-2 = 1/42 = 1/16.


What happens if your number has a negative exponent?

That number becomes an exponent. For example, 5 to the -2 power is 1/25


When is the exponent negative?

When you subtract it from a bigger exponent of another number by dividing two numbers with exponents.


What happens to a negative number with a positive exponent?

It will become a positive number.


What do you do when you have a negative number to a negative exponent?

it would be a negative multiplied by a negative and your answer should end up positive.


How do you solve a positive number with a negative exponent?

turn the positive number into its recipricol and the put the number of the negative number on the top


When squaring a negative number if the factor is a negative and the exponent is positive will your answer be negative or positive?

If you square any real number it will always be positive.