answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A negative exponent is the reciprocal of the corresponding positive exponent.

102 = 100

10-2 = 1/100

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What does it mean when an exponent is a negative number?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Other Math
Related questions

What does the term negative exponent mean in math?

the exponent is a negative


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 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 does a negative exponent mean used in scientific notation?

That indicates a decimal; a number less than one.


What does it mean if the number written in scientific notation has a negative exponent?

It means that the decimal point has to move to the left.


What are negative intergery exponents?

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).


What happens if your number has a negative exponent?

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


What does a negative exponent mean when used in scientific notation?

It means that the absolute value of the number is in the range (0, 1).


When is the exponent negative?

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