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By addition. Exponents are multiplied by adding them together. Example:
22 = 4 = (2x2)
23 = 8= (2x2x2)
If we multiply 22 x 23 we get (2x2) x (2x2x2) = 4 x 8 = 32
or 22 x 23 = 25 = (2x2) x (2x2x2) = (2x2x2x2x2) = 25 = 32
Same with negative exponents: (A negative exponent indicates a reciprocal (1/x))
2-2 = 1/4 (1/2 x 1/2)
2-3 = 1/8 (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2)
2-2 x 2-3 = 1/4 x 1/8 = 1/32
2-2 x 2-3 = (1/2 x 1/2) x (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2) = (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2) = 2(-2)+(-3) = 2-5 = 32
Hope this helps.
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Can you have negative exponents in the denominator?
You can have negative exponents anywhere. When they are in the denominator, they are equivalent to positive exponents in the numerator of a fraction.
When you have two different exponents do you add them or multiply them?
Multiply
How do you divide a positive power of ten by a negative power of ten?
You reverse the sign of the power and multiply by adding exponents. Example 10 to the 7 divided by 10 to the negative 6 = 10 to the 13
How do you change powers with negative exponents to powers with positive exponents?
by doing reciprocal
How do you figure out negative exponents?
They are the reciprocals of the positive exponents. Thus, x-a = 1/xa
