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Simplifying and 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.
ⓐ : The denominator contains raised to the power . Apply the property : move the base from the denominator to the numerator and make the exponent positive, giving .
ⓑ : The denominator contains raised to the power . Apply the same property: . Evaluate the power: .
In both parts, the procedure is identical: when a base with a negative exponent appears in the denominator beneath a numerator of , 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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Simplifying and Using the Property of Negative Exponents
A laboratory technician is documenting a procedure that involves a measurement expressed as 1 / (10^-6) meters. To simplify the documentation, they need to apply the Property of Negative Exponents. According to this property, where the base is not equal to zero, which of the following is equivalent to the expression 1 / (a^-n)?
A software developer is reviewing a mathematical library and encounters the Property of Negative Exponents. According to this property, for any non-zero base 'a', the expression 1 / (a^-5) is equivalent to 'a' raised to the power of ____.
An electrical engineer is simplifying a circuit calculation that results in the expression 1 / (z^-5). According to the Property of Negative Exponents, this expression is equivalent to z^5, assuming z is not zero.
A financial analyst is simplifying a set of algebraic cost-projection models to make them easier for a management team to read. Match each mathematical expression containing a negative exponent in the denominator with its simplified equivalent using the Property of Negative Exponents.
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An environmental scientist is simplifying a data model that contains the expression 1 / y^-4. According to the property of negative exponents, this expression is equivalent to y raised to the power of ____.
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