How do you divide negative exponents with positive exponents?

Answer 1

First: You don't want any negative exponents. I'll give two examples-

5^-2 / 5^2. What you would do is switch the negative exponent to the other side, changing the negative exponent to a positive, and if there's nothing there, replace it with a one.

So, now you have 1/ 5^2 * 5^2. Simplify

1/ 25 * 25

1/625. There's your answer.

With variables:

x^2 / y^-3. Switch the negative to a positive, placing it on the other side. Since the denominator becomes one and all you have are numerators, the denominator isn't needed (but you can still use it while learning the concept).

x^2 * y^3. A fully simplified answer.

I hope this helps!