Example

Simplifying 4−24^{-2} and 10−310^{-3} Using the Negative Exponent Definition

Apply the definition of a negative exponent to simplify two numerical expressions — one with a single-digit base and one with a two-digit base.

ⓐ 4−2=1164^{-2} = \frac{1}{16}: The exponent is −2-2, so apply the rule a−n=1ana^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}: rewrite 4−24^{-2} as 142\frac{1}{4^2}. Evaluate the power: 42=164^2 = 16. The result is 116\frac{1}{16}.

ⓑ 10−3=1100010^{-3} = \frac{1}{1000}: The exponent is −3-3, so apply the same rule: rewrite 10−310^{-3} as 1103\frac{1}{10^3}. Evaluate the power: 103=100010^3 = 1000. The result is 11000\frac{1}{1000}.

In both parts, the procedure is identical: use the negative exponent definition to move the base into the denominator with a positive exponent, then compute the resulting power. The negative exponent does not make the answer negative — it produces a fraction less than 11.

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Updated 2026-05-09

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