It is the base raised to the exponent used in the numerator minus the exponent for the denominator. That is,
a^x / a^y = a^(x-y)
Chat with our AI personalities
To multiply powers with the same base, you add the exponents. For example, 10^2 x 10^3 = 10^5. Similarly, to divide powers with the same base, you subtract the exponents. For example, 10^3 / 10^5 = 10^(-2).
Dividing exponents is just subtracting the numerator exponent and the denominator exponent. For example, 3^4 / 3^2 = 3^2. *The division sign is just like a giant subtraction sign** That will help you to remember this rule. So how about x^12 / x^5? its x^7!
ExponentsExponents are used in many algebra problems, so it's important that you understand the rules for working with exponents. Let's go over each rule in detail, and see some examples. Rules of 1 There are two simple "rules of 1" to remember. First, any number raised to the power of "one" equals itself. This makes sense, because the power shows how many times the base is multiplied by itself. If it's only multiplied one time, then it's logical that it equals itself. Secondly, one raised to any power is one. This, too, is logical, because one times one times one, as many times as you multiply it, is always equal to one. Product Rule The exponent "product rule" tells us that, when multiplying two powers that have the same base, you can add the exponents. In this example, you can see how it works. Adding the exponents is just a short cut! Power RuleThe "power rule" tells us that to raise a power to a power, just multiply the exponents. Here you see that 52 raised to the 3rd power is equal to 56. Quotient Rule The quotient rule tells us that we can divide two powers with the same base by subtracting the exponents. You can see why this works if you study the example shown. Zero Rule According to the "zero rule," any nonzero number raised to the power of zero equals 1. Negative Exponents The last rule in this lesson tells us that any nonzero number raised to a negative power equals its reciprocal raised to the opposite positive power.This information comes from http://www.math.com/school/subject2/lessons/S2U2L2DP.html
When dividing numbers that are different the answer will be negative.
It's a positive number. Here's the rule: In multiplication and division . . . -- If both numbers have the same sign, then the result of multiplying or dividing them is positive. -- If the two numbers have different signs, then the result of multiplying or dividing them is negative.