I assume you mean "negative integer exponents".It means that:
* It is an exponent
* It is an integer (whole number)
* It is negative (less than zero, i.e., with a minus sign)
A negative exponent is defined as the reciprocal of the positive exponent. For example, 10 to the power -5 is the same as 1 / (10 to the power 5).
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why the exponents can not be negative
When multiplying numbers with exponents, you add the exponents.
property of negative exponents
Positive exponents: an = a*a*a*...*a where there are n (>0) lots of a. Negative exponents: a-n = 1/(a*a*a*...*a) where there are n (>0) lots of a.
They can be written as reciprocals with positive exponents. For example, 5-7 = (1/5)7