Example

Simplifying 1y4\frac{1}{y^{-4}} and 132\frac{1}{3^{-2}} Using the Property of Negative Exponents

Apply the Property of Negative Exponents to simplify two expressions that have a negative exponent in the denominator — one with a variable base and one with a numerical base.

1y4=y4\frac{1}{y^{-4}} = y^4: The denominator contains yy raised to the power 4-4. Apply the property 1an=an\frac{1}{a^{-n}} = a^n: move the base from the denominator to the numerator and make the exponent positive, giving y4y^4.

132=9\frac{1}{3^{-2}} = 9: The denominator contains 33 raised to the power 2-2. Apply the same property: 132=32\frac{1}{3^{-2}} = 3^2. Evaluate the power: 32=93^2 = 9.

In both parts, the procedure is identical: when a base with a negative exponent appears in the denominator beneath a numerator of 11, replace the entire fraction with the base raised to the corresponding positive exponent. With a numerical base (as in part ⓑ), the final step is to compute the resulting power to obtain a single number.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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