Negative Exponents: Using variables

Question 1

$a^{-4}=\text{?}$

$(a\ne0)$

Question 2

$x^{-a}=\text{?}$

Question 3

$\frac{1}{a^n}=\text{?}$

$a\ne0$

Question 4

$8^{-2x}=\text{?}$

Examples with solutions for Negative Exponents: Using variables

$a^{-4}=\text{?}$

$(a\ne0)$

We begin by using the negative exponent rule.

$b^{-n}=\frac{1}{b^n}$ We apply it to the problem:

$a^{-4}=\frac{1}{a^4}$ Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

$\frac{1}{a^4}$

$x^{-a}=\text{?}$

We use the exponential property of a negative exponent:

$b^{-n}=\frac{1}{b^n}$ We apply it to the problem:

$x^{-a}=\frac{1}{x^a}$ Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

$\frac{1}{x^a}$

$\frac{1}{a^n}=\text{?}$

$a\ne0$

$a^{-n}$

$8^{-2x}=\text{?}$

$\frac{1}{64^x}$